Mason’s Mastery

Mason Crane’s Hampshire have squeezed past Sussex to take their place in The Cricketer Quarantine Cup Final. It was Mason’s mastery of Cricket 19 that took him into what is a much anticipated final of this intense, and at times surreal, competition.

The semi-final was played at the Emirates Old Trafford under a summer sky more akin to Southern California than Manchester in May.

Mason and his worthy opponent Tymal Mills played out a virtual El Clasicoast that lived-up to the pre-match billing.

Match commentary was provided by the excellent Mark Church (@backandacross). Little doubt, Mark was buoyed after defeating his garden furniture in a 4-day game of garden cricket.

Life has surely become welcomingly strange in these times of social isolation.

Back to the game.

Mills’ Sussex won the toss and asked Hampshire to bat.

Mason’s Hampshire got off to an excellent start with James Vince in the virtual form of his life.  James took the Sussex bowling apart. His 53 coming off 15 balls in 15 minutes.

The Hampshire innings closed on 70-3.

Sussex must thank Jofra Archer for keeping their dreams alive. Archer’s final over conceded a miserly 4 runs and sent 2 batters back to the pavilion.

The reply started poorly with Sussex losing Salt early.

Mills held his nerve. His batters opened their shoulders and began to clatter the ball around Old Trafford.

Sussex needed 16 runs off the last 5 balls. Mills was still in the game, but not for long.

Under Mason’s strict control Sussex faltered and Fidel Edwards’ bowling saw Hampshire home.  Leaving Sussex on 61-3 and 9 runs short of victory.

The Glamorgan vs. Hampshire final of the Quarantine Cup will take place on Tuesday 12 May at 4.00m (BST).

(PhoenixMedia Image Created from a Photo by Andy Kearns/Getty Images and with Permission from The Cricketer)