Cricket

Kent County Cricket Club has bolstered its bowling attack for the crucial second half of the Vitality T20 Blast group stage by signing experienced Australian seamer Tom Rogers. The 30-year-old joins the Spitfires from Melbourne Renegades, where he has been a key performer in the Big Bash League.Rogers brings a wealth of T20 experience to Kent, having claimed 60 wickets in 72 matches at an impressive average of 24.78 and an economical rate of 8.38. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace will be a valuable asset to the Spitfires, who have struggled with injuries to their bowling department.Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook, expressed his delight at securing Rogers' services. "We're pleased to have got Tom on board to sure-up our bowling options going into the 'business end' of this South Group stage," Cook said. "He has a lot of experience and has skills that will be useful to us with both the ball and the bat, too."Rogers will join a Kent bowling attack that has been depleted by the absence of Xavier Bartlett, who is only available for the first eight group games, and Wes Agar, who has returned to Australia due to a shoulder injury. The Spitfires are currently second from bottom in the South Group, but they still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.Rogers is eager to make an impact for Kent and help the team achieve its goals. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to play in the Vitality Blast and I'm excited to be joining Kent," Rogers said. "We know that every game is vital for us now, and I want to do my part in getting results as a Spitfire in the near future."

Gloucestershire's Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft showcased their batting prowess on the second day of the Vitality County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan at the Cheltenham Festival. After being dismissed for 179 in their first innings, Gloucestershire found themselves trailing by 18 runs. However, Hammond and Bancroft's brilliant centuries turned the tide in their favor.Hammond, a Cheltenham native, played an enterprising innings, reaching his half-century off just 53 balls. He continued to flourish, hitting three sixes and 17 fours in his 121-run knock. Bancroft, the Australian opener, provided solid support, scoring an unbeaten 159 from 221 balls. The duo put on a mammoth 201-run partnership for the third wicket, silencing Glamorgan's hopes.James Bracey joined the party, contributing an unbeaten 90 off 117 balls. Together with Bancroft, he added 170 runs for the fourth wicket, extending Gloucestershire's lead to a commanding 370 runs.Earlier in the day, Glamorgan resumed on 133 for 7, trailing by 46 runs. Mason Crane played a crucial role, scoring a defiant 44 to help his team take the lead. However, Beau Webster's impressive bowling figures of 5 for 17, including four maidens, ended Glamorgan's innings on 197.Gloucestershire's bowlers, led by Webster and Marchant de Lange (3 for 44), put in a strong performance, dismissing Glamorgan for a modest total.With two days remaining in the match, Gloucestershire is in a dominant position. Hammond and Bancroft's centuries have put them in a strong position to secure a victory and boost their hopes of promotion to Division One.

Sussex Sharks soared to a thrilling seven-run victory over Hampshire Hawks in the Vitality Blast South Group, securing their second spot in the standings. Nathan McAndrew emerged as the hero, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball.McAndrew's blistering 32 off 11 deliveries propelled Sussex to a respectable total of 184 for 8. Tom Alsop's steady 43 off 27 provided a solid foundation, while James Coles contributed 39. Hampshire's Michael Neser impressed with 3 for 32, but McAndrew's late-innings fireworks proved crucial.In response, Hampshire's chase started sluggishly, losing two wickets in the powerplay. James Vince and Joe Weatherley steadied the ship with an 88-run partnership, but Vince's departure for 53 halted their momentum. Weatherley's 68 off 47 kept Hampshire in contention, but McAndrew's economical 1 for 21 and Danny Lamb's resolute defense of 25 off the final over sealed the victory for Sussex.McAndrew's all-round brilliance was the catalyst for Sussex's triumph. His aggressive batting and miserly bowling played a pivotal role in securing the win. Alsop's composed innings and Coles' steady contribution also proved valuable.For Hampshire, Vince's half-century and Weatherley's late surge were commendable, but their overall batting performance fell short of the required rate. Neser's early wickets were impressive, but the team's inability to capitalize on their opportunities ultimately cost them the match.Sussex's victory marks their first Utilita Bowl win since 2020 and extends their lead over Hampshire to six points. The Sharks will look to maintain their momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while Hampshire will seek to regroup and improve their batting performance.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter against Derbyshire Falcons at Trent Bridge, avenging their earlier defeat at Derby. The eight-run triumph keeps Notts' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive, despite their challenging start to the season.Joe Clarke, still seeking his maiden half-century of the campaign, led the Outlaws' batting charge with a brisk 47 off 28 deliveries. Tom Moores (31 off 27) and Matt Montgomery (28 not out off 31) provided valuable contributions in the latter stages, setting a target of 174 for the Falcons.Derbyshire's response was spearheaded by Aneurin Donald's blistering 26-ball 52 and Wayne Madsen's steady 40 off 35. However, the Outlaws' bowlers, led by New Zealand quick Ben Lister (2 for 24), maintained a disciplined performance, ensuring that the Falcons fell short of their target.The match was not without its controversies. Clarke was initially given out caught at short third man but stood his ground, arguing that the ball had not been cleanly taken. After a heated exchange with the umpires, he was eventually persuaded to leave the field.The Falcons' chase began promisingly, with Donald's explosive hitting propelling them to 70 for 1 in the powerplay. However, Liam Patterson-White's superb spell, which included the wicket of Donald, swung the momentum in Notts' favor.Madsen kept the Falcons in contention with a defiant 40, but Ross Whiteley's dismissal off Lister and Patel's unfortunate run-out left them needing 19 runs from the final six balls. The Outlaws held their nerve, securing an eight-run victory and keeping their slim hopes of qualification alive.

Leicestershire and Northamptonshire played out a thrilling tie in the Vitality Blast at Wantage Road, with Rishi Patel's blistering century for the Foxes matching David Willey's impressive knock for the Steelbacks.Patel, the Blast's leading run-scorer, smashed 104 from just 45 balls, equaling the Foxes' fastest ever T20 century. His onslaught propelled Leicestershire to a competitive 208 for 7, despite Raphy Weatherall's 4 for 50 for Northamptonshire.Willey, celebrating his 300th career T20 game, led the Steelbacks' charge with a top score of 71 from 48. He became the first player to pass 4,000 runs in the format for Northamptonshire. Matthew Breetzke (47) and Sikandar Raza (36 not out) also contributed to the home side's total of 208 for 5.In reply, Patel dominated the Leicestershire innings, hitting 18 runs off Willey's first over and forming a 61-run opening partnership with Sol Budinger. He reached his half-century in just 22 deliveries and continued to punish the Northamptonshire bowlers, reaching his century with a six off Ben Sanderson.However, Weatherall pegged the Foxes back with three quick wickets, including Patel's dismissal for 104. Peter Handscomb (43) and Ben Cox (10) kept Leicestershire in the hunt, but Weatherall struck again to leave the Foxes needing five runs from the last ball.Lewis Goldsworthy's outside edge flew to the boundary off Weatherall's final delivery, securing a tie for Leicestershire.

Durham's thrilling come-from-behind victory over Yorkshire in the North Group of the Vitality Blast was a testament to their resilience and the heroics of Australian quick Ben Dwarshuis.Chasing 171, Yorkshire appeared to be cruising at 113 for 2 before leg-spinner Nathan Sowter's brilliance turned the tide. He dismissed Will Luxton and Jordan Thompson in quick succession, leaving Yorkshire vulnerable.Dwarshuis, playing in only his third game for Durham, then claimed his first wicket in the last over and defended four off the last ball against George Hill. The Vikings finished on 167 for 7, handing Durham a crucial three-run victory.Opener Graham Clark top-scored for Durham with 49 off 35 balls, while Adam Lyth led Yorkshire's chase with 54. Dan Moriarty impressed with two for 26 for Yorkshire, but Sowter's impact was pivotal.Durham's innings started brightly, with Clark and Alex Lees taking 10 off the first over. However, Yorkshire restricted them to 44 for 1 after six overs. Clark's dismissal for 49 in the 13th over left Durham struggling, but Ollie Robinson, Bas de Leede, and Michael Jones provided a late surge, contributing 64 runs off the last five overs.Yorkshire's chase began promisingly, with Lyth hitting two leg-side sixes. However, the loss of Dawid Malan and Joe Root raised Durham's hopes. Luxton threatened to take the game away with his aggressive batting, but Sowter's brilliance and Dwarshuis's heroics ultimately proved decisive.

Gloucestershire's young guns, Oliver Price and Ben Charlesworth, orchestrated a thrilling five-wicket triumph over arch-rivals Somerset in a Vitality Blast derby encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.Somerset, the defending champions, posted a formidable 188 for 4 after losing the toss, thanks to a high-octane 79 from Tom Banton. Banton dominated crucial partnerships with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell, smashing eight fours and three sixes.Gloucestershire's chase got off to a solid start with Miles Hammond crashing three boundaries in the third over. However, Riley Meredith's yorker dismissed Cameron Bancroft, and Roelof van der Merwe bowled Hammond for 39.With rain threatening, Gloucestershire needed to keep up with the required rate. James Bracey and Charlesworth staged a 41-run stand, but Somerset's spinners, van der Merwe and Jack Leach, struck back to leave Gloucestershire reeling at 106 for 4.Enter Price and Charlesworth. The young duo unleashed a blistering unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 82 in just 32 balls. Price top-scored with 43 from 15 deliveries, including four sixes and three fours, while Charlesworth contributed a 19-ball 36 with two sixes and four fours.Their aggressive hitting propelled Gloucestershire to victory with eight balls to spare, sending a sell-out crowd of 7,000 into raptures. The win improved Gloucestershire's prospects of reaching the knockout stages, while Somerset missed out on a chance to take over leadership of the South Group.

Surrey's dominance in the Vitality Blast South Group continued as they crushed Glamorgan by nine wickets at the Kia Oval. The victory was set up by a superb bowling performance, led by Gus Atkinson, Sean Abbott, and Spencer Johnson, who restricted Glamorgan to a paltry 107 for 9.Atkinson struck early, dismissing Kiran Carlson and Sam Northeast in the second over. Abbott then joined the party, removing Colin Ingram in the sixth over. Glamorgan's struggles continued against spin, with Dan Lawrence and Cameron Steel claiming wickets.Ben Kellaway and Dan Douthwaite briefly threatened a recovery, but Johnson and Abbott returned to extinguish their hopes. Chris Cooke, Andy Gorvin, and Mason Crane all fell cheaply, leaving Glamorgan reeling at 84 for 8.Only a late flurry of boundaries from Chris Sole and Jamie McIlroy prevented Glamorgan from being bowled out for under 100.In reply, Surrey openers Dan Lawrence and Dom Sibley launched a blistering attack, adding 53 runs in the powerplay. Lawrence departed for 27, but Sibley continued his onslaught, finishing on 43 not out from 26 balls.Laurie Evans then joined the fray, smashing an unbeaten 31 from 13 balls, including two sixes. Surrey reached their target in just nine overs, securing their sixth win from eight group games.For Glamorgan, it was a disappointing sixth defeat in eight matches, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the South Group standings.

Birmingham Bears emerged victorious in their local derby against Worcestershire Rapids, securing a five-wicket triumph at 'Visit Worcestershire New Road.' The Bears' victory propelled them to the summit of the Northern Group in the Vitality Blast, while Worcestershire's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals dwindled.Sam Hain and Jacob Bethell played pivotal roles in Birmingham's success. Hain struck a fluent 76, while Bethell remained unbeaten on 71, guiding the Bears to their fourth consecutive win. Their 148-run partnership for the fourth wicket set a new record against Worcestershire in the competition.Worcestershire's batting display was disjointed, with several players contributing to their own dismissals. The Bears' spinners, Danny Briggs, Jake Lintott, and Dan Mousley, kept a tight grip on proceedings, restricting the Rapids to 155 for 7.Adam Hose led the Rapids' batting, but his former club proved too strong. Kashif Ali returned for Worcestershire after a break, while Michael Booth replaced Richard Gleeson in the Bears' lineup.Birmingham captain Alex Davies elected to field first on a new hybrid pitch. Kashif struck a six off Michael Booth but perished attempting to repeat the shot. Ed Pollock attacked George Garton, hitting a six and two boundaries, but Jake Lintott dismissed Josh Cobb with a superb catch.Gareth Roderick hit Bethell for a six but was bowled by Briggs. Briggs also dismissed Hose, while Ethan Brookes fell to Bethell. Nathan Smith's attempted big hit was caught at long-off by Lintott. Rob Jones and Tom Taylor provided some late impetus for Worcestershire.Worcestershire needed early wickets, and Smith delivered, dismissing Ed Barnard and Dan Mousley in the opening over. Hayden Walsh held onto a low chance to remove Alex Davies, leaving the Bears at 7 for 3.However, Hain and Bethell launched a recovery, rebuilding and then accelerating. Bethell brought up his fifty in 37 balls, hitting three sixes. Hain and Chris Benjamin were dismissed by Tom Taylor, but the Bears sealed victory with 2.1 overs to spare.