Klinger leads way to the semi-finals

CRICKET: Michael Klinger led from the front as Gloucestershire reached their first one-day semi-final for 11 years with a four-wicket Royal London Cup win over Hampshire at Bristol.

After rain had reduced the quarter-final to 34 overs per side, Jimmy Adams, with 97 off 99 balls, and Will Smith, who smacked 50 off only 25 deliveries, ensured Hampshire’s total of 217-7 was competitive.

Then it was Gloucestershire captain Klinger’s turn, as he made 87 off 81 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes, to guide his side to the cusp of victory.

Geraint Jones (39 not out) and Jack Taylor (34) then virtually finished the job with a stand of 44 in only 22 balls, amid some late nerves, as Gloucestershire came home with an over to spare.

England kept their hopes of retaining the Women’s Ashes alive after Sarah Taylor’s halfcentury sealed a seven-wicket victory over Australia in the first Twenty20 at Chelmsford.

Anything other than an England win would have seen them lose the multi-format series to Australia, who had triumphed in the one-off Test and two of the three one-day internationals to establish an 8-2 lead.

But after the tourists were restricted to 122-8, Taylor starred with the bat, making exactly 50 and sharing a pivotal 77-run partnership with captain Charlotte Edwards. Both were dismissed before Natalie Sciver and Katherine Brunt got England over the line.