Middlesex Women’s chances of qualifying for the national finals of the ECB Women’s County T20 were ended yesterday after a mixed day at Haverhill Cricket Club.
The side needed to win both matches against group leaders, Sussex, and then hosts, Suffolk, later in the day if they were to make it through to the knockout stages over the bank holiday weekend at the end of the month.
Captain, Issy Routledge, won the toss stuck Sussex into bat. Her decision was vindicated as Millie Taylor fell early.
However, Mollie Adams (39) frustrated as she built partnerships with Lucy Western (12) and Chiara Green (30) to help Sussex post 122/5 in their 20 overs.
Eight bowlers were used by Middlesex and the wickets were shared around. Jenny Blofeld, Anisha Dissanayake, Gayatri Gole, Lauren Turner and Routledge all claimed a scalp each.
Chasing 123 for victory – with a required rate of just over a run-a-ball – Middlesex lost wickets regularly and found themselves on 72/5 with five overs remaining.
Green was the star for Sussex as she claimed 4/15 and Middlesex were all out for 94 in the final over.
The final match of the day, saw Middlesex play for pride as they looked to end their T20 campaign on a high and they did just that as they defeated Suffolk by five wickets.
Gole top-scored with an unbeaten 41 in the dramatic chase, to see her side home in the last ball of the match – successfully chasing 126.
She was ably supported Hong Kong international, Natasha Miles, who made 35 and young Riva Pindoria, who bludgeoned 25 off 15 deliveries in an entertaining knock – which included four fours and a six.
Earlier in the match, Blofeld impressed with 3/16 off her three overs. Dissanayake took 2/17 and there was a wicket each for Routledge and Turner.
Two 50-over matches remain for Middlesex Women in September, with one taking place in the ECB Women’s County Championship and the other in the London Championship. Hampshire and Sussex are the respective opponents.
