Surrey, Essex also victorious in South Group
Monday 14 September 2020 21:48, UK
Zak Crawley smashed the first T20 century of his career as Kent Spitfires boosted their chances of a Vitality Blast quarter-final spot, coasting to an eight-wicket victory against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Crawley rattled up an unbeaten 108 from just 54 balls - including 14 fours and two sixes - to see the Spitfires home with ease as they chased down the target of 183 with 17 deliveries to spare. Hampshire vs Kent scorecard
The 22-year-old, who became the third-youngest batsman to score a Test double hundred when he hit 267 against Pakistan at the same venue last month, shared a century stand with Joe Denly - the man he replaced in the England side.
Hampshire, who have won just once so far in the South Group, posted 182-6 after being put in to bat, with James Fuller top-scoring with an unbeaten 50 from 23 balls.
However, the visitors made short work of their run chase as Crawley and Denly (38) put on 121 for the second wicket before Heino Kuhn (19 not out) saw them across the line in the 18th over.
Will Jacks and Hashim Amla shared a century opening stand as Surrey took a huge step towards the knockout stages, going top of the group with a 30-run win over London rivals Middlesex at Lord's. Middlesex vs Surrey scorecard
Jacks brutalised the home attack, hitting five sixes and three fours in a stunning 55 and, while Amla took a more classical approach, his 67 proved the backbone of a huge total of 218-5.
Stevie Eskinazi (77) struck his fourth half-century of the competition for Middlesex, but they fell short at 188-5 and will now need three wins from three to have any hopes of advancing.
Dan Lawrence starred with both bat and ball to ensure Essex Eagles moved off the bottom of the table and above Hampshire, belatedly registering the first win of their Blast campaign by overcoming Sussex Sharks at Hove.
Sussex vs Essex scorecard
Lawrence hammered 81 from 44 balls after the Eagles had lost the toss, setting up their total of 197-5 with support from Tom Westley (39) and Michael Pepper (34no).
Sussex looked well-placed at 119-2 in reply - but Lawrence's leg-spin accounted for both Delray Rawlins (37) and Aaron Thomason (47) in the space of four deliveries and the home side eventually fell short by 12 runs at 185-8.
