England fans were left dejected as they lost their 2nd test match in a row to Australia at Lords. The controversial game at Lords saw Australia win the game by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the series. One of the biggest talking points was the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow who was dismissed in controversial fashion. If Bairstow, was hogging the headlines for the controversy, it was his white ball skipper who was turning heads on Sunday at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in the T20 Blast.
The story so far –
It was the final weekend of group phase games in the 2023 T20 Blast season. The North Group match witnessed home team Lancashire taking on Northamptonshire at Manchester. A win for Lancashire will move them to the 2nd spot in the North Group to 17 points the same as Worcestershire. Lancashire though would move to the 2nd place due to better run rate.
Buttler stuns the Manchester crowd with an amazing grab –
Luke Wood was bowling to left handed opener, Ricardo Vasconcelos who was batting on 12. The left handed bowler got one to move at sharp speed as the batter could only edge the ball. The ball, was racing for a sure four but Lancashire wicketkeeper Jos Buttler dived full length to his left to take a one handed screamer.
WHAT A CATCH BY JOS BUTTLER.pic.twitter.com/e60rQ0BGlp
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 3, 2023
Lancashire restrict the visitors to 138 –
Liam Livingstone won the toss and chose to bowl first and the move paid dividends. Northamptonshire could only score 138 from their 20 overs. Chris Lynn top scored with 35 off 25 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Justin Broad scored 34 off 26 balls with a four and six. Luke Wood picked 3 wickets while rest of the bowlers barring Tom Hartley picked a wicket each.
Phil Salt takes the home team to an easy win –
Chasing 139 to win, the roses weren’t in any sort of trouble as they got to the target in the 17th over. Phil Salt was not out on 74 off 51 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes, Buttler continued his bad form with the bat scoring 11. Livingstone (11), Mitchell with 17 and Dane Vilas with 10 saw the team home to an easy 6 wicket win.
Lancashire will now play Surrey in the 2nd Quarter final on 7th July at Manchester as a famous finals day beckons for the Manchester based outfit.