Hampshire vs. Somerset: Match Tied.

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Matt H in T20

The second semi-final was also affected by heavy showers. Batting first, the Hampshire innings was dominated by Shahid Afridi, who hit five 6s in his 80. The rain reduced the innings to 15.5 overs, which was enough time for them to amass 138/4.

But more rain fell between innings, meaning the Duckworth Lewis calculations were once again significant: Somerset facing a target of 95 from 10 overs. A match of this duration may often resemble a farce, but these ten overs were intense cricket, ebbing and flowing like the longer versions of the sport. Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter got to 40 from only three overs, before Danny Briggs and Imran Tahir took three quick cheap wickets. But then Jos Buttler hit a superb 32 from 16 balls that looked to have taken Somerset to victory.

Captain Dominic Cork bowled the final over: two wickets for only four runs. Once again, the soaked spectators were afforded the joys of a super over eliminator.

In truth, this super over was one-sided from start to finish. Buttler and Kieswetter scored 16 off Shahid Afridi; Alfonso Thomas bowled cleverly to prevent Afridi causing any damage. Thus Somerset head into their second consecutive final and are our favourites to win.