Cracknell shared a stand of 120 in 86 balls with Sam Robson who made 62. However, they mustered only 26 from the final five overs, with Middlesex all-rounder Ryan Higgins taking four wickets in the final six balls to finish with 4-39. The visitors were soon questioning their decision to bat first as Ethan Bamber and Blake Cullen found early movement on a slightly two-paced pitch. He too would be dropped on the square leg fence by Cracknell, the ball escaping over the rope for six as he reached 50 in 42 balls. Andersson might have been stumped of Bess as nerves jangled briefly, but he and beneficiary Simpson saw the hosts home in the 35th over.

Source: Metro August 23, 2023 04:36 UTC