Essex win last ball thriller over Surrey at Chelmsford

Matt Diner, at Chelmsford
Friday, June 22, 2012
10:08 PM

Southern Group: Surrey 144-9 lost to Essex 145-7 by three wickets

Essex claimed victory off the final ball against Surrey in a thrilling game at Chelsmford.

Tim Phillips was the hero as he hit 14 from six balls to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for the hosts.

Surrey looked set for victory after the hosts went from 93-3 in the 12th over to 130-7 in the 18 chasing 145 for victory.

Needing 15 from the final two overs Phillips swung hard and connected more often than not.

James Franklin batted through for the Eagles showing a calm head, ending unbeaten on 63 from 51 balls.

It was Essex’s third win in three days after victories over Kent and Middlesex to go top of the Southern group.

For Surrey it was a thrilling end to highly emotional week after the death of Tom Maynard.

It was Chris Adams’ sides first game since the 23-year-old’s passing four days ago.

An impeccably observed minute’s silence was held in the memory of the former Glamorgan player- with a number of Surrey players visibly upset before play began.

Despite the emotions before play began, the visitors made a brisk start as both openers Jason Roy and Steven Davies hit out taking advantage of an Essex bowling attack of Graham Napier and David Masters who bowled a touch too full.

The wicketkeeper played the classier shots, making the usually economical Masters look average.

Topley looked like he would get equal treatment after his low full toss with his first delivery of the fourth over was timed to the leg side boundary, but the very next ball Davies timed one straight into the hands of Napier at mid-wicket.

Murali Kartik was brought in to swing from the hip, but he lasted just one ball after he dropped and ran only to be run out by a smart bit of fielding from Napier’s direct hit.

Roy took a liking to Tim Phillips off spin when he came on in the fifth over, smashing him back over his head for six before repeating the trick for four the next ball.

The 21-year-old had smashed his way to 36 before he did depart in the sixth over, caught by Ten Doeschate in the deep, attempting to hit Topley out of the ground.

The wicket put Essex in charge and good bowling and fielding ensured they took control for the rest of the innings.

James Foster registered what was for him a regulation stumping to off Phillips to get rid of Burns for 15.

Despite the short boundaries the visitors could not find them again until halfway through the 13th over, but Zander De Druyne was to pay for his defiance the next ball as he was bowled by Greg Smith who bowled his countryman.

Matthew Spriegel sent a reminder that it was possible to reach the rope at Chelmsford as he leant back and gave it his all to send a Smith delivery over the boundary for a maximum in the 17th over.

The Surrey innings continued to peter out as Wheater caught an Ansari skier off Topley, before Spriegel went in similar fashion caught by Phillips of Ten Doeschate.

Stuart Meaker was run out without facing a ball, before Gareth Batty’s middle stump went flying thanks to a full one from Ten Doeschate in the final over.

In contrast to Surrey’s start Essex lost Mark Pettini off his first dlivery in the first over slapping one to a diving Burns at cover off Kartik.

Number three Smith hit the first boundary of the innings with a gorgeous drive through the covers.

The South African reached the boundary off Kartik once again and Drik Nannes before he came to a tame end, lobbing one up to Meaker at mid-off, off the bowling of the Australian.

Chris Tremlett came into the attack and with his first delivery of the season had Ten Doeschate caught at point by Batty to leave the hosts 36-3 in the fifth over.

Spin stifled the Eagles as first Spriegel and then Batty and Kartik took control, with the latter extracting some decent spin off a flat wicket.

After three overs without a boundary, James Foster smashed Ansari for four before slog sweeping him over deep mid-wicket for a maximum towards the pavilion.

The strangely quiet Franklin was next to clear the fence as he punched Batty to deep mid-off.

The New Zealander then took advantage of a front foot no ball by the spinner to launch the former England man’s deliver into Hayes Close as the Eagles plundered 20 off the 11th over.

Momentum shifted however after Foster was yorked by Meaker after a run a ball 23.

Franklin reached his 50 from just 41 deliveries, but the Eagles were dealt another blow as Tremlett’s pace was too much for Wheater who saw his bails disturbed by a full-pitched delivery.

Graham Napier went first ball chipping Tremlett into the air as Batty raced round to complete a simple catch.

Needing 40 off the final five, Michael Comber could not get Tremlett away increasing the pressure on Franklin.

Comber was Meaker’s next victim hitting straight to Roy, brining Tim Phillips to the crease with 11 balls.

Franklin smashed Meaker into cow corner for the first boundary since the 13th over to give the hosts a sniff.

Needing 15 from the final six balls Phillips gave his side the ideal side clipping Nannes towards the pavilion for six.

The spin bowler pulled the quickie for two the next delivery, before running through a bye the next delivery. Before Franklin did the same the next ball. Phillips got lucky as his edge took off for another boundary before he mis-hit the winning run off the final ball to claim a dramatic win.