Northamptonshire's season is over despite Chris Lynn's best efforts but there are a host of Aussies heading to the T20 Blast quarter-finals
Match Report:
ScorecardLynn goes big again on bumper night in Blast
Chris Lynn's stellar T20 Blast has continued with another half-century but it wasn't enough to get Northamptonshire over the line against Leicestershire at Grace Road.
Needing a victory to keep their quarter-final hopes alive, Lynn's Steelbacks were immediately up against it when the Foxes set 6-214 thanks to a 44-ball 85 from Colin Ackermann.
But the Queenslander, who is currently without a contract for the upcoming BBL|12, again showed what he is still capable of with a blistering 68 off only 37 balls.
His innings included seven fours and four sixes and rocketed him up to second on the Blast's run-scorers list, with his 516 runs behind only Hampshire and Sydney Sixers batter James Vince (557 runs).
Lynn's wicket in the 12th over halted the Steelbacks' momentum, who eventually fell short by one run to end their season.
What a final over 🤯@NorthantsCCC needed 19 from the final 6 balls...Here's what happened 👇#Blast22 pic.twitter.com/nUuQRuxvCX%E2%80%94 Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) July 1, 2022
Peter Siddle's Somerset were able to secure their spot in the competition's final eight with a final-over two-wicket win over Middlesex at Lord's.
Siddle was at his economical best at the home of cricket, taking 1-28 from his four overs.
Middlesex found their way to 6-160 on the back of another late cameo from Chris Green, who hit an unbeaten 44 from 24 balls.
Jason Behrendorff took three vital wickets (3-30) as the equation came to 10 runs required from the last over.
Green was thrown the ball for the final act, and although the off-spinner had bowled brilliantly (1-24 off 3.4 overs) he couldn't prevent Somerset's ninth win of the season.
Back at Lord's and back with a wicket.👏 @petersiddle403 #LoveLords pic.twitter.com/Uf6hWreCqx%E2%80%94 Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) July 1, 2022
Dan Christian's final game at Trent Bridge went to plan, with Nottinghamshire completing a four-wicket win over Durham.
39-year-old Christian, currently in his seventh season with the Outlaws, called time on his UK career this week.
The allrounder didn't take a wicket (0-37) as Durham put together an imposing 8-183, with Ashton Turner (33 off 18 balls) and Andrew Tye (13 not out) contributing valuable runs.
In reply Tye snared his 20th wicket of the season when he had Tom Moores caught, moving him up to fourth spot on the wicket-takers list, an impressive feat considering he's played four fewer games than the rest of the top five.
Christian wasn't required with the bat as half-centuries to two batters from BBL|11, Joe Clarke of the Melbourne Stars and Ben Duckett of the Brisbane Heat, got the Outlaws home with three overs remaining.
Elsewhere, Daniel Sams took 3-45 as Essex defeated Josh Philippe's Sussex at the County Ground in Hove.
Philippe managed 17 runs as Sussex fell short by 28 runs.
Another side who will be playing in the quarter-finals is Hampshire, who confirmed their place with a 15-run win against Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl.
Although Ben McDermott could only manage four from nine balls, the Hawks' 7-140 proved to be more than enough.
Nathan Ellis was at his miserly best with 1-14 from 3.4 overs and England spinner Liam Dawson's 2-16 ensured Gloucestershire could only manage 125 before they were bowled out.
Image Id: E62743B0FDBF4AEF801258BAA52E3C0A Image Caption: Nathan Ellis lets out a roar during Hampshire's win // Getty
Aaron Hardie's debut for the powerful Surrey was a success as his side defeated Kent by four wickets at the Oval.
The allrounder took a wicket with his third ball and contributed 15 runs off seven balls as Surrey chased down 191 with ease.
Tim David's Lancashire fell in an upset loss to Worcestershire by 29 runs at New Road.
David only scored seven from six balls in the defeat but the Lightning are still in prime position to play finals with home regular season match remaining.
Australians in 2022 English T20 Blast
Birmingham: Nathan McAndrew
Derbyshire: Hilton Cartwright, Hayden Kerr
Durham: Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye
Essex: Daniel Sams
Glamorgan: Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser
Gloucestershire: Marcus Harris
Hampshire: Nathan Ellis, Ben McDermott
Lancashire: Tim David
Middlesex: Jason Behrendorff, Chris Green
Northamptonshire: Matthew Kelly, Chris Lynn
Nottinghamshire: Dan Christian, James Pattinson
Somerset: Peter Siddle
Surrey: Aaron Hardie
Sussex: Josh Philippe