Royals finally off the mark

Last updated: 10th June 2011  

Kervezee: Cool head

Worcestershire registered their first success in the Friends Life t20 as they cruised home against Northamptonshire at New Road.

For a third time in four matches the Steelbacks failed to make 150, struggling to 134-9 before the Royals reached their target with 12 balls to spare.

Only four Northamptonshire players made double figures after being put in, with only Alex Wakely making a notable contribution as he clubbed 62 off 45 balls with seven fours.

He put on 57 with Stephen Peters (22) for the third wicket as they moved into a good position, but Peters' fell to Shaaiq Choudhry with the score on 87 and the innings failed to get going again despite the efforts of Wakely.

To compound matters David Sales had to retire after facing seven balls with a hamstring injury, while Shakib Al Hasan took three wickets in the final over, Wakely falling off the final ball.

In the chase, Moeen Ali and Alexei Kervezee ensured there would be no slip-up after putting on 85 in 11 overs.

Vikram Solanki had fallen for six in the second over but Moeen hit a 45-ball half-century and when Kervezee took 10 runs off James Middlebrook's final over the target was down to 41 off 36 balls.

There was a minor setback when Moeen (53) was stumped off a leg-side wide and Al Hasan was given out lbw next ball, both falling to Johan Botha.

But Kervezee made 44 from 34 deliveries to see his side home with plenty of room to spare, Gareth Andrew chipping in with a handy 21 including two sixes and a four.

 

Posted in: finally,Royals