September 7, 2024

Gloucestershire Shock Bears in Low-Scoring Thriller to Reach Finals Day

David Payne and Ollie Price led Gloucestershire to a dramatic 14-run victory over Birmingham Bears, extending Birmingham’s losing streak in T20 quarter-finals. In a nail-biting match at Edgbaston, Gloucestershire, who barely made it to the knockouts, defeated Birmingham Bears by restricting them to 124 for 9 while posting 138 themselves.

Gloucestershire, finishing fourth in the South Group, struggled early but managed to score 138 runs, thanks to Bancroft’s 43 runs. Despite being bowled out relatively cheaply, their bowlers shone. David Payne took 4 wickets for 23 runs, including a crucial final over where he limited Birmingham to just 3 runs. Ollie Price also contributed significantly with 3 wickets for 32 runs. Birmingham Bears, despite Chris Benjamin’s 33 runs being the highest score, couldn’t chase down the target and exited the tournament for the fourth consecutive time in the quarter-finals. Gloucestershire will now face Sussex in the semi-finals at Edgbaston next Saturday.

Bancroft’s Top Score and Gloucestershire’s Tight Bowling Seal Victory

Cameron Bancroft was the top scorer for Gloucestershire with 43 runs from 35 balls, and his opening partner Miles Hammond added 30 from 24 balls. However, no other batsman scored more than Jack Taylor’s 19 runs. For the Bears, New Zealand seamer Zak Foulkes took 3 wickets for 22 runs, spinners Danny Briggs and Dan Mousley each took two wickets, and George Garton executed two crucial run-outs.

Chasing a target of 139, the Bears were behind from the start, scoring 37 for 2 in the powerplay, trailing by 17 runs and with one less wicket in hand compared to Gloucestershire at the same stage. David Payne, who started with a maiden over, dismissed Alex Davies and Moeen Ali, the latter falling for 27 runs after hitting Payne for several boundaries. Payne eventually had Ali caught by James Bracey.

The Bears struggled to build momentum, losing wickets regularly. Ollie Price dismissed Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell, leaving the Bears at 59 for 4 by the ninth over. Price continued to trouble them, taking another wicket to leave them at 74 for 5 in the 13th over. Despite some late hitting from Chris Benjamin and George Garton, who managed a few boundaries, Gloucestershire’s bowlers tightened their grip.

With 18 runs needed off the last six balls, Payne excelled under pressure. He conceded just 3 runs in the final over and took the crucial wickets of Benjamin and Jake Lintott, securing Gloucestershire’s win.

Gloucestershire’s Strong Start Falters as Bears’ Bowlers Strike Back

Gloucestershire fans were hopeful for a big total as Hammond and Bancroft put up 54 runs in the first six overs. Bancroft hit three boundaries off Foulkes’s opening over, and Hammond smashed a six off Mousley. However, Mousley got his revenge when Hammond was caught by Lintott at mid-off.

The Bears’ spinners then took control. Briggs dismissed Bracey with a leg-before decision, and Ollie Price had Bancroft top-edging a catch to short fine leg. Bancroft was dropped on 30, but the Bears’ pace attack soon made up for it. Jack Taylor’s pull shot was caught by keeper Davies after going straight up.

Ben Charlesworth hit Moeen for a six but was dismissed while trying to repeat the shot. Bancroft, who was crucial for a big score, was brilliantly run out by Garton’s direct hit from long-on.

Panic set in as Matt Taylor and Shaw were both caught off consecutive deliveries from Foulkes. Garton’s accurate throw from mid-on ran out Matt Taylor, and Payne was dismissed by Mousley. Gloucestershire were all out for 138, a total that seemed low but ultimately proved to be enough.