Champs Gloucestershire gave a sensational quarter-final beating to Birmingham Bears in a match played at Edgbaston. Gloucestershire lost their 138 in the second innings, but its bowlers taking a 14-run win to qualify for Finals Day.
Last year’s eliminees, Birmingham Bears of the North Group were to meet a similar fate. They have been knocked out of the quarter final stage for the fourth time in a row. On net run rate, Gloucestershire, which ended last season at the fourth place in the South Group, just squeezed into the final eight. But they were however able to come out of this tense affair with the victory they desired.
Bears Crumble Under Pressure
Birmingham Bears were never in a position to find their mojo while chasing 139. The Bears’ batting side was found wanting in their ability to handle the kind of bowling that the Gloucestershire side was serving them. Payne, the left-arm quick from Gloucestershire, and Price, the off-spinner were performing exceptionally well. The two combined and took seven wickets for the team and destroyed the Bears batsman.
The two teams: Bears played a conservative cricket and could muster only 124 for 9 in their stipulated 20 overs. Chris Benjamin only played a good knock of scoring 33 runs and was the only batsman to offer some sort of fight. However, this was not enough to save the Bears as they went down.
Payne and Price Lead the Bowling Attack
David Payne and Ollie Price were at the limelight of the whole event. Payne dismissed West Indies for 123 and in doing so he claimed two big wickets in the last over of his performance; 4 for 23. That was again important, the ability to build pressure in the last power play overs. He scored 18 runs using his bowling to deny the opponents a chance to score a good total while bowling the last over in which he got two wickets and gave only three runs.
Ollie Price was equally brilliant in support of Payne taking 3 wickets in his 32 runs. Price used offspin which caused quite a problem to the Bears’ batsmen who lacked the fluency on the field. In addition to this, Payne and Price made certain that Gloucestershire was able to defend the small total which they had set.
A Strong Start for Gloucestershire’s Openers
At a initially of the game, both the overnight batsmen of Gloucestershire, Cameron Bancrott and Miles Hammond set a good to go for their side. They then scored a run-a-ball 51 without the loss of wickets to get off to a good start. Bancroft made 43 from 35 balls and the aggressive Hammond scored at 30 from 24 balls.
Even though Gloucestershire was put out of gear, the team appeared on course, for a hefty score. However, the Bears’ bowlers stood up for the great challenge alongside top bowler Zak Foulkes, who bowled out for 3/22. Spinner Danny Briggs and Dan Mousley were able to get two wickets each with the team bowling the opponent team Gloucestershire to a total of 138 all out.
Gloucestershire Collapse After Fast Start
However, Gloucestershire middle as well as lower middle order failed to perform as they had done in their first innings. What Bancroft and Hammond have achieved was good, but it was not a good start for the team. Jack Taylor came another 19 in scoring the only other noteworthy score of the game.
Zak Foulkes chipped in some valuable scalps, when it mattered the most. He took Matt Taylor and Josh Shaw off two balls in a row. Foulkes’ accuracy proved excellent and was further backed up by two blistering direct-hit run-outs by George Garton making the game even more uncomfortable for Gloucestershire.
Birmingham Bears’ Stuttering Chase
Birmingham Bears’ chase did not at any point actually look like it was going to come to fruition. They wanted just under seven runs every over but they were soon chasing. At the conclusion of powerplay they were 37-2, which was 17 runs worse off than how Gloucestershire were at the same stage.
David Payne is worth mentioning for the starters, his beginning attacks have put the team in a good stead. He got one to turn and then clean bowled Alex Davies and while doing so, cut off the boundary on square leg. Payne then got the big fish, in the form of Moeen Ali who was looking good with 27 runs to his name at the beginning of the over. Moeen ever charged to Payne’s bowling for two sixes and one four but Payne had the last say by getting the outside edge of Moeen’s bat.
Ollie Price Spins Through Bears’ Middle Order
Ollie Price persisted in making as much as he could with the ball that turned sharply and was an offspinner. He got rid of Dan Mousley, caught him leg before in an effort to pull. Price then declared Jacob Bethell right, he was taken at extra cover. Thus, in a space of two overs, the Bears were left struggling at 59 for 4 in the ninth over.
The removal of Sam Hain at 74 for 5 added more woes on the Bears’ camp. In the very next ball Hain went for a big shot but could not get the distance to clear Hammond at midwicket. This wicket made it to be the third for Price and placed Gloucestershire in a very comfortable position.
Late Bears’ Fightback Falls Short
Then Chris Benjamin and George Garton attempted late rally to stage a strong but ultimately futile fightback. Benjamin struck Tom Smith out of the ground while Garton got two fours off the bowling of Price. Nevertheless, the pressure was too much. On the two balls Josh Shaw bowled Garton and Zak Foulkes.
With 18 required of the last over C.G Payne came back to do the job for the team. He took Benjamin and Jake Lintott and that secured Gloucestershire with 14-run win.
A Brilliant Fielding Performance from Gloucestershire
Like always, Gloucestershire’s fielding also kept them in good stead in their win as well. For video refs, George Garton’s two direct-hit run-outs were such turnovers. There were two run-out which were important as they took the wind out of the sails of Gloucestershire.
Cameron Bancroft also played his part in the field like Ollie Price and these two pulled off some excellent catches in the deep. Both bowing and fielding were on top form for Gloucestershire and pinned down Birmingham’s batsmen where they put them under pressure for the whole match.
Gloucestershire’s Road to Finals Day
Glos through to the semi-finals against Sussex for Finals Day after victory. That game they displayed good football spirit especially when they were humbling the Bears. This they did while defending a low total and outplaying the Bears with both the bat and also with the ball and the field.
But as usual Gloucestershire53 resisted with the bat and then boasted in their bowling forte. Payne and Price will be special focus during the semi-final, since they have the task to lead their team to the finals.
Conclusion
The Birmingham Bears were shocked by Gloucestershire in a very close low-scoring quarter-final match. Gloucestershire’s bowlers especially David Payne and Ollie Price responded well as the team only managed to get a total of 138 runs and were bowled out, the team got a mere 14 run win. That disruption affected the Bears who crumbled in the top order while the middle order could not compensate. Gloucestershire now face Sussex on the Finals Day of Pro40.
FAQs
1. How did Gloucestershire secure their spot in Finals Day?
Defending 138 they beat Birmingham Bears by 14 runs on headings.
2. Who were the standout performers for Gloucestershire?
David Payne bowled well and claimed 4 wickets and Ollie Price also claimed 3 wickets of the opponent team.
3. What was the key turning point in the match?
Payne was also the star of the day when he bowled the last over taking two wickets for three runs that clinched the match for Gloucestershire.
4. How did Birmingham Bears perform in the chase?
Birmingham Bears failed and kept losing their wickets and they were all out for 124.
5. Who top-scored for both teams?
Cameron Bancroft accumulative the most runs for Gloucestershire- 43, while Chris Benjamin for Birmingham Bears- 33.
