Panthers slump in t20 demolition derby

Surrey 178-7 (20 ov) beat Middlesex 92 (14 ov) by 86 runs
(Surrey 2 pts, Middlesex 0 pts)

Middlesex’s hopes of making the t20 quarter-finals hang in the balance after a crushing defeat in front of a sold-out Lord’s.

Gareth Berg and Ravi Patel both picked up three wickets apiece but Kevin O’Brien’s rapid 54 helped Surrey to 178-7 in their 20 overs.

A record t20 crowd of 28,000 then watched the Panthers collapse, with Paul Stirling (19) and Berg (33) the only players to make it into double figures.

Middlesex were bowled out for just 92 with six overs to spare and are now reliant on a win at Hampshire next Wednesday to keep their quarter-final ambitions alive.

After witnessing England’s comprehensive dismantling of Australia in the second Ashes Test last week, Lord’s played host to another demolition – but this time it was the away side celebrating as they thrashed their rivals.

After two early wickets for Berg, O’Brien and Vikram Solanki responded by smashing 90 inside the next eight overs as the Lions reached 103-2 at the halfway mark.

O’Brien’s half century came from just 22 deliveries and included three sixes, but he was out shortly afterwards, bowled by Patel.

The spinner then took two in four balls in his next over, a diving catch from Neil Dexter dismissing Solanki for 37 and sharp work from Adam Rossington stumping Gary Wilson.

But a stand of 59 between Azhar Mahmood (35) and Zafar Ansari (23 not out) helped Surrey to a more than competitive 178-7.

Middlesex were always struggling in response, losing four wickets in the first four overs, including Stirling, whose 19 turned out to be the second highest knock of the innings.

Eoin Morgan and Adam Rossington also fell cheaply as the Panthers crashed to 40-6 in the seventh over.

Berg counter-attacked with four fours and a six but when he was bowled by Gareth Batty, Surrey were closing in on victory with Middlesex on 79-8.

And it was Batty who claimed the final wicket, as Kyle Mills was stumped, to hand the Lions a vital win in a tight t20 South group.

Middlesex now sit fourth, level on points with Surrey and just one behind Essex and Hampshire, but all the others have games in hand.

The Panthers have just one match left to play, next week in Southampton, and they will need to win that to avoid another group stage exit.

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