Michael Klinger, Dan Christian and Mark Cosgrove among the Aussies to impress as England's domestic T20 competition got underway on Friday
Klinger, Christian star in England T20 comp
A speedy knock from Michael Klinger wasn’t enough to get Gloucestershire over the line against Sussex on Friday as England’s domestic Twenty20 competition got underway.
Chasing 243 for victory, persistent rain reduced Gloucestershire's target to 85 in 7.3 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, but despite Klinger’s unbeaten 42 from 24 balls they fell just short in reaching 1-83.
Black Caps star Ross Taylor was the star of the show for Sussex, scoring an unbeaten 93.
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He blasted eight sixes and four fours in his 48-ball innings as Sussex reached a challenging 5-242.
Hobart Hurricanes allrounder Daniel Christian was also on song early for Nottinghamshire, scoring 34 from just 19 balls, thing three sixes, to help his team reach 7-179.
However, the total wasn’t enough as Warwickshire claimed victory with six wickets in hand and four balls remaining.
Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara’s strong form in the four-day game continued in the shorter format, as he scored a 16-ball 32 in Surrey’s eight-run win over Essex at Chelmsford.
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Also featuring in T20 action was Mark Cosgrove, whose 27 from 17 balls for Leicestershire wasn’t enough to stop Northamptonshire claiming a rain-affected five-wicket win at Grace Road.
Black Caps spinner Mitchell Santner was also in county Twenty20 action, making an important contribution on debut for Worcestershire as they edged Durham by 38 runs.
Young opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore set up Worcestershire's win with a 54-ball 127 as the hosts reached 225-6.
Santner's 2-29 off four overs, and compatriot Matt Henry's 1-40, helped restrict Durham to 187-8.