181/8 (20.0)
CR : 9.05
208/6 (20.0)
CR : 10.40
Kent won by 27 runs 🏆
Z Gohar 11(9)
c Lintott b M Milnes
4s/6s
2/0
SR
122.22
Milnes gets his second one of the evening. Keeps it away from Zafar and yields the dividend.
Tom Helm is the new batter.
19.4
1
Matt Milnes to Tom Helm
Yorker, on the stumps, digs it out to mid-on for a single.
19.5
4
Matt Milnes to Sebastian Morgan
FOUR! A consolation boundary for Morgan and Middlesex! Length delivery, on the off stump, lifts it over mid-off, as the ball trickles into the ropes, despite the fielder's incredible last ditch effort.
19.6
4
Matt Milnes to Sebastian Morgan
FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries to end the innings! Kent win the match by 27 runs! Length delivery, on the stumps, runs off the inside edge to the ropes. A good effort from Kent to open their season with a victory away from home!
Over 20
Middlesex 181/8
Sebastian Morgan19(10)
Tom Helm1(1)
Matt Milnes2-38(4.0)
KT won by 27 runs
1:46 AM IST and 9:18 PM Local Time: A decisive victory for the Kent Spitfires in the tournament opener. The Middlesex are humbled at their backyards, courtesy of Sam Billings' terrific knock today. The Spitfires win by 27 runs at the Lords.
Adam Rossington fired all cylinders in the chase and gained much of the assistance from his opening pair. With Max Holden at the other end, the pair raced to fifty runs in 4.2 overs before touching 65/1 in the powerplay. Holden was a goner in the final over of the innings but Rossington stayed moving. There was little assistance from the middle order but not enough in a hefty chase. Ryan Higgins and Luke Hollman's ducks only added to their injuries. Rossington seemed like the only guy storming around the park. However, 208 runs target was too much to ask for a single player.
Matt Milnes removed the attacking opener at the start of the slog overs phase for a 43-ball 79 before Tomorrow Tigers came in and pounced upon the lower middle order. With 46 to ask from the last two overs and three wickets in hand, this was truly Spitfires game. A wicket fell in the final over and the tail failed to showcase grit and might to take the home side home. Eventually, the Spitfires beat the Middlesex by 27 runs.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, TS Muyeye and Danielle Bell-Drummond got off to a strong start with the bat. The latter smashed 26 off 12 balls. They were going over ten runs per over inside the powerplay and Zak Crawley at No. 3 ensured no halt in momentum. His 36 and Muyeye's 38 set the stage for a big total. This is when Sam Billings came in and showcased his batting flair.
Although he lost wickets in the other hand as Joe Denly and Chris Benjamin went dismissed for ducks, Billings sent the opposition bowlers packing with a 37-ball 84. He smashed nine fours and five sixes, some of which came through scoops and reverse sweeps, propelling the side to 208/6.
So, that's it from the tourney opener! The Kent Spitfires humble the hosts, Middlesex at the Home of Cricket. This has been a fine batting day for both sides, especially for the visitors. It'll be seen how the two sides go up in the competition,
This is Arijit Kundu taking your leave on behalf of co-commentator Anirudh Modi and scorer Yogesh Kumar. Stay tuned to this space for more cricketing action.