Natwest T20 Blast, South Group wrap: Dickinson, Vince lift Hampshire to top of South Group table

Kent vs Hampshire, Canterbury

Half-centuries from Hampshire's openers James Vince and Calvin Dickinson helped their side register a six-wicket victory in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group encounter on Friday(August 11). Chasing 168, Hampshire reached the target with 2.4 overs to spare and topped the South Group table in the process.

Scoring at a strike rate of over 200, Dickinson set the tone for Hampshire's chase with a 24-ball 51, which included 8 fours and 2 sixes. Vince then received good support from Tom Alsop as they took the visitors past the 150 mark in the 15th over. Although Kent attempted a fightback with the wickets of Alsop and Shahid Afridi, and later Vince, it was too late by then as George Bailey's unbeaten 16 ensured that Hampshire got over the line comfortably.

Earlier, put in to bat, Kent lost Joe Denly without any score on the board but a 48-run partnership between Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Northeast helped the hosts make steady progress. Following Bell-Drummond's departure, Northeast went past fifty and was involved in a 66-run stand with Sam Billings (40 off 25), which helped Kent post what appeared to be a competitive total. That was until Hampshire's top order made it seem like a walk in the park.

Brief scores: Kent 167/7 in 20 overs (Sam Northeast 59, Sam Billings 40; Liam Dawson 2-25, Kyle Abbott 2-25) lost to Hampshire 171/4 in 17.2 overs (James Vince 57, Calvin Dickinson 51; Mitchell Claydon 2-33) by 6 wickets.

Essex vs Middlesex, Chelmsford

A disciplined effort with the ball helped Essex defeat Middlesex by nine runs at the County Ground in Chelmsford. Riding on Adam Whearer's 21-ball 43 and useful contributions by the lower middle-order batsmen, Essex posted a challenging total of 172 for 9. Ravi Bopara and Mohammad Amir then picked up two wickets apiece to restrict the visitors to 163 for 7.

Adam Wheater and Varun Chopra helped Essex off to a brisk start as they raised a half-century stand in less than five overs after the hosts were asked to bat first. However, the departure of the openers in quick succession was followed by wickets at regular intervals as the top-order batsmen failed to convert their starts into substantial contributions. Although Essex maintained a healthy scoring rate, Middlesex, powered by Nathan Sowter's four-wicket haul, kept chipping away and reduced the hosts to 139 for 6 in the 16th over. Skipper Ryan ten Doeschate and Paul Walter, however, came up with useful 20s which helped Essex finish with a total in excess of 170.

In reply, Middlesex lost Paul Stirling early and also lost Stephen Sean Eskinazi and John Simpson just when a partnership was blossoming between the two. Eoin Morgan and George Scott tried to keep Middlesex in the hunt with knocks of 37 and 34 respectively. But the hosts kept pegging Middlesex back with wickets and the required rate was getting out of reach. Paul Walter scored a fighting 20 off 13, but it wasn't sufficient as Middlesex, needing 26 to win in the final over, ended up 10 short of the target.

Brief scores: Essex 172/9 in 20 overs (Adam Wheater 43, Ravi Bopara; Nathan Sowter 4-23, Tom Helm 2-30) beat Middlesex163/7 in 20 overs (Eoin Morgan 37, George Scott 34; Ravi Bopara 2-24, Mohammad Amir 2-25) by 9 runs.

Sussex vs Gloucestershire, Hove

Laurie Evans and David Wiese came up with crucial knocks as Sussex managed to chase down a target of 139 against Gloucestershire after being reduced to 58 for 4 at one stage. Following a racy start from Chris Nash and Luke Wright, Sussex lost their way in the middle, losing four wickets for only 18 runs. When Ben Browne became the next to depart, Sussex were precariously placed at 83 for 5. However, a counter-attacking 45 not out off only 29 balls by Evans and a handy 20 by Wiese helped Sussex win with 2.2 overs to spare.

Opting to bowl, Sussex managed to make early inroads as Michael Klinger and Ian Cockbail fell in the opening over. A 77-run partnership between Phil Mustard and Cameron Bancroft ensued, helping the visitors to a speedy recovery. However, Chris Jordan, George Garton and Danny Briggs triggered a middle-order collapse as Gloucestershire were bowled out with 1.1 overs still remaining in their innings, losing their last six wickets for only 28 runs.

Brief scores: Gloucestershire 138 in 18.5 overs (Phil Mustard 43, Cameron Bancroft 37; Chris Jordan 3-17, George Garton 3-35) lost to Sussex 139/5 in 17.4 overs (Laurie Evans 45*, Chris Nash 22; Chris Liddle 2-27) by 5 wickets.