Andrew Balbirnie split the field to score his seventh four of the innings and hand Middlesex 2s a five wicket T20 victory over Glamorgan 2s.
It was a masterful innings from the right-hander, who finished unbeaten on 44 as he guided Middlesex past Glamorgan’s 83 run-target.
He was called upon early after Nick Gubbins was trapped LBW by Bradley Wadlen in the first over of the reply. Ryan Higgins went in the next over, caught by Jack Murphy off Dewi PenrhynJones for one, and then, in the fourth over, George Scott hit a four before hooking the ball to Owen Morgan on the boundary.
At 9-3, Middlesex were in danger of not surpassing a low total until Balbirne was joined by Ollie Rayner, in at seven, after sharp fielding from Glamorgan caught Max Holden and Stephen Eskinazi out of their creases.
Together, Rayner and Balbirnie put 52 runs on the board to win the game.
After a slow start, the duo went on the attack, blasting 16 off the 11th over, including a six from Rayner. Seventeen off the next over put Middlesex on the cusp of victory and, fittingly after a superb display, Balbirnie hit Wadlen through extra cover to win the game.
It capped a near perfect day for Middlesex 2s.
Nathan Sowter took six wickets in a flawless display of leg spin. He dismissed three batsmen in the ninth over, including two in two balls, to put Middlesex well on top.
George Scott had already pulled off the same feat, clean bowling Tom Smith and inducing an edge from William Vanderspar in consecutive balls, to reduce Glamorgan to 3-49 after a good start.
After Sowter’s superb over, Glamorgan capitulated and the innings closed in the 13th over when Gubbins, at first slip, took a catch low to his left to remove Richard Edwards.
Glamorgan did their best to defend a low score, taking three early wickets, but Balbirnie’s superb performance earned Middlesex the win.
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UPDATE: Glamorgan won the day’s second T20 game by seven wickets. Higgins hit an even half-century as Middlesex set Glamorgan a target of 143 runs to win. Wadlen added to a two wicket haul with 40 runs before James Kettleborough and Alex Milton carried their bats for 34 and 29 respectively to see Glamorgan to victory.
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