Middlesex Fight Back to Beat Kent in Vitality Blast Thriller

Middlesex emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter against Kent Spitfires at Canterbury, securing a four-wicket triumph after a remarkable fightback in the field.

Kent's innings got off to a shaky start as Tom Helm dismissed Zak Crawley early on. However, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Marcus O'Riordan steadied the ship with a rapid 66-run partnership. Ryan Higgins broke the stand by trapping O'Riordan lbw, and Sam Billings' attempt at a reverse sweep against Luke Hollman resulted in his dismissal.

Bell-Drummond continued to anchor the Kent innings, but his departure to Hollman's bowling triggered a collapse. Joey Evison and Joe Denly fell cheaply, and Kent managed only 10 runs in overs 15 to 17. Hollman and Tom Helm restricted Kent to 173 for 8, with Hollman claiming 2 for 18 and Helm taking 2 for 24.

Middlesex's chase began with a setback as Joe Denly trapped Martin Andersson lbw. However, Stephen Eskinazi and Higgins counterattacked with a series of boundaries, including Eskinazi's first sixes of the match. Higgins' dismissal to Xavier Bartlett sparked a brief Kent resurgence, with Bartlett also removing Leus du Plooy.

Max Holden and Hollman kept Middlesex in the hunt, but Holden's dismissal left them needing 11 runs off the last two overs. Jack Davies chipped in with a six, and Josh de Caires' boundary brought Middlesex within one blow of victory. With three runs required off the final six, Hollman sealed the triumph with a six over cow corner.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #Middlesex, #Kent, #Cricket, #T20