GLCS vs KT 93rd Match, T20 Blast 2022

2:27 AM IST | Ovaise: Gloucestershire held their nerves in the end and have won by 5 runs. What a cricketing game of cricket, went down to the last delivery!! All 3 results were possible, Higgins nails his yorker and wins it for the visitors!!   

Let’s have a recap, Kent won the toss and opted to field first on a flat-looking surface. Miles Hammond and Chris Dent came out to open the batting for the visitors and a four was hit off the verst first ball by Miles but was dismissed in the same over by Jack Leaning who opened the bowling along with Matt Miles for Kent. Ian Cockbain joined Dent and together they stitched a brilliant partnership and smashed the bowlers all around the park. The pair had set up a brilliant platform for the middle order to come and capitalize. 

Spin was introduced into the attack and Dent was severe on the Qais Ahmed, The Afghan leg spinner was taken to the cleaners but he came back strongly and got his man with a brilliant tossed-up delivery, deceiving Dent into a false stroke. Gloucestershire were 2 down with the score reading 85 after 8.5 overs. The New Zealand international walked out bat and joined Ian Cockbain and took the visitors past the 100 runs mark. Glenn Phillips had come out with a positive intent and took on the bowler right from the get go. 

Ian Cockbain excellent knock of 64 from 41 delivered came to an end on the first ball of the 15th over. Glenn Phillips was unbeaten on 62 of just 37 delivery and powered his team to a fabulous total of 195 in their 20 overs. The pitch was looking like a belter, the ball was coming onto the bat nicely and Kent would've fancied their chances chasing this huge total in the innings break.

Openers Tawana Muyeye and Joe Denly came out to begin proceedings in the pursuit of a stiff target of 196. Muyeye struck a couple of handsome boundaries before falling to Josh Shaw. Joe Denly kept up the good work and in the company of Jordan Cox, started rebuilding the run-chase. Cox struck some exceptional blows but ate up a few deliveries up front which put a bit of pressure on the other batters. 

Both the set batters Joe Denly and Jordan Cox was dismissed in quick intervals as Gloucester was well on top of the game. Kent needed some vital contributions from their middle and the lower middle-order if they had to harbour hopes of chasing the target down. It was Sam Billings and Alex Blake who took the onus on themselves to take the match deep. Billings who came into the match not in the greatest of forms showed glimpses of his power-hitting skills. 

Billings scored a 13 balls 26 before perishing at the hands of Mohammad Amir who bowled a splendid spell to restrict the Kent batters. He started off well and then came back with his final two overs which proved to be decisive in the end. Amir bagged two crucial wickets in the form of Billings and Alex Blake, the batters who had the ability to finish the match for their side. 

Blake struck 36 of just 24 deliveries and kept the match interesting till the last ball was bowled. A tie was still possible when the last ball was being bowled with Kent needing 7 of the final delivery. Eventually, Higgins held his nerves and nailed the yorker on the final delivery which eventually helped Gloucester win by 5 runs. Amir and Josh Shaw were the pick of the bowlers for Gloucester bagging a couple each.