Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Howell and Higgins give Gloucestershire victory
BENNY Howell produced an outstanding spell of bowling to help Gloucestershire defend 171 and beat Middlesex by ten runs in the Vitality Blast yesterday.
Howell’s three for 23 from his four overs helped deliver a sixth victory, reviving the Glo’sters’ chances of qualifying from the South Group.
Having lost the toss, the hosts were well held for most of their innings, but a late burst from new father Ryan Higgins, who plundered 43 from 25 balls, helped add 52 from the final fours overs, posting 171 for eight.
Middlesex were fairly well placed at 83 for three after 11 overs, but fell away badly, with Max Holden’s late unbeaten 50 in 34 balls too late.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman set the tone for a fine bowling effort from the visitors as he dismissed opener Miles Hammond with the fourth ball of the match and had Howell taken at short third-man in his second over. His four overs conceded only 23 runs.
Glenn Phillips cut Blake Cullen behind to leave Gloucestershire 26 for three after four overs.
James Bracey broke the shackles with a slog-sweep over deep midwicket as overs eight and nine collectively went for 33, but any momentum was ended as Bracey holed out to deep midwicket for 33.
The home side needed a spark and Higgins, returning after the birth of his son on Monday, played a vital late hand. He swung Cullen into the pavilion and pulled Finn over midwicket as well as scoring four fours before falling to the final ball of the innings.
Matt Taylor had bowled his side to victory over Middlesex in the County Championship on Thursday and he was back to make the breakthrough in the chase, Phillips pulling off a flying catch at backward point to remove Stevie Eskinazi.
Sam Robson then drove Josh Shaw to mid-off as Middlesex slipped to 23 for two. Howell bowled debutant Josh de Caires and then trapped Nathan Sowter lbw first ball and with 62 needed in 30 balls, the game looked over.
Holden had other ideas, taking the target to 40 from 18 balls, and Cullen joined in to leave 17 required from the final six balls. However, that was defended comfortably by Higgins as Gloucestershire clinched the points.