MILTON KEYNES (Northamptonshire won toss): Northamptonshire Steelbacks (2pts) beat Gloucestershire Gladiators by 81 runs
NOT SO long ago, they were the “Glorious Glosters”. Last night, they were the “Dying Gladiators” as Gloucestershire, winners of seven one-day trophies in the past six years, fell on their swords in the amphitheatre of Campbell Park after conceding the highest score in the brief history of the Twenty20 Cup.
They were in a poor state before this match, having lost their past eight matches in all competitions, apart from a rained-off totesport League match. They were an absolute shambles by the time David Sales, the Northamptonshire captain, had led his side to an overwhelming 224 for five.
If Gloucestershire’s bowling and fielding had been well below the required standard, with Martyn Ball an honourable exception, their batting was even worse. Craig Spearman, their best strokemaker, was run out going for a third run without even facing a ball, Steve Adshead, Matt Windows and Chris Taylor threw away their wickets and although Mark Alleyne, the captain and coach, put on a brave face, they were not so much beaten as humiliated. “That was one of our worst performances this year and that’s saying something,” Alleyne said. “There has got to be a big change. We can’t afford to go on like this.”
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It had been so different when Northamptonshire were taking full advantage of a superb pitch and fast outfield, their uninhibited strokeplay providing a wonderful spectacle. Tim Roberts, with 43 off 21 balls, including two sixes and six fours, and Bilal Shafayat set the pace by taking 58 from the first five overs, but it was Sales who did most to demoralise Gloucestershire. He hit 22 off five balls from James Averis on the way to an unbeaten 78 off 42 balls, with four sixes and seven fours.
Damien Wright, who hit 38 off 20 balls, joined him in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 82 in six overs to take Northamptonshire beyond the previous record of 221, shared by Leicestershire, Surrey and Gloucestershire, of all people.
SHOW-STOPPER: The first of Sales’s four sixes.
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SHOW-DOWNER: Spearman’s run-out.