Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, Surrey and Gloucestershire are the 2020 Vitality Blast semi-finalists. Phoenix Management Group’s Joe Clarke (Nottinghamshire) and Liam Livingstone (Lancashire) produced telling quarter-final performances. With Joe’s batting and Liam’s bowling helping their respective counties reach the Edgbaston Finals Day on 3 October.
Nottinghamshire v Leicestershire
The Outlaws tied their quarter-final with the Foxes. Each team scored 139 runs and each lost 7 wickets. Runs scored during the power plays were now the deciding factor. After being restricted to a paltry 22 power play runs, Leicestershire’s fate was sealed.
Joe Clarke took just 22 balls for his 35 runs (3 fours, 3 sixes). Yet, Leicestershire were hot favourites for a semi-final berth. Nottinghamshire required 17 runs from 7 balls for the win. Slack fielding by the Foxes, contributed to the Outlaw’s gaining an unlikely tie. No doubt, this loss will hang over the Leicestershire players over the coming winter months.
Sussex v Lancashire
On a hybrid pitch at Hove, Lancashire made 140-8. Batting second, Sussex must have been confident of a place on Finals Day. The chance of a Sussex win lengthened once the Lancashire spinners got to work. While Matt Parkinson took the plaudits, he was well supported by Liam Livingstone who returned figures of 4-23 off 3.2 overs. Sussex were all out for 95 after 17.2 overs.
In the semi-final, Lancashire will face Nottinghamshire while Surrey will play Gloucestershire.
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