Bedfordshire County Cricket Club lost the National Counties T20 final by a single run against Berkshire in a dramatic yet agonising National Counties Finals Day at Wormsley Cricket Club in High Wycombe on Sunday (30 August).
After seeing off Staffordshire in the day’s first semi-final, Bedfordshire took the final to the very last ball but could only run two, as Berkshire secured a white ball clean sweep by claiming the T20 title on top of the NCCA 50-over trophy.
Despite their final ball agony, Bedfordshire can be proud of a stunning run to the National Counties Finals Day.
Head coach, Eddie Ballard was earlier full of praise for his young side for reaching this stage, claiming “I don’t think anyone else would have thought we would be where we are”, in the lead up to a Finals Day that almost saw them shock the record books.
Bedfordshire have not won a national championship since 2004, where they shared the three-day red ball championship with Devon, and were just inches away from breaking the streak in a dramatic finish.
Earlier in the day, Bedfordshire had sauntered into the showpiece with a convincing six-wicket victory over Staffordshire in the first semi-final.
James Anson claimed 5-13, including the golden duck of former Bedfordshire captain, James Kettleborough, in a stunning spell of opening bowling that helped restrict Staffordshire to just 131.
A shaky start saw Bedfordshire reduced to 10/3 in response, but star man Jamie Dunk was on hand to calm nerves, crashing a 51-ball 70 alongside an excellent 57 from Nabil Moughal, to help his side to their target with nine balls to spare.
Final ball drama
Berkshire then beat Devon in the second semi-final to progress to the final.
50-over champions, Berkshire batted first and reached a moderate total of 149/7 with Anson again in the wickets, claiming 2-25 while captain, Jake Tarling also claimed two wickets late on in a solid fielding display.
Chasing 150 on a pitch that had been subjected to 100 overs of cricket in a single day was no easy feat, but Bedfordshire nearly got there despite another nervous beginning.
They were quickly reduced to 37/3, including the loss of key man, Dunk but 67 from Worcestershire professional, Kashif Ali helped propel Bedfordshire into a potentially winning position.
Needing eight off the final over, bowled by Berkshire’s off-spinner Euan Woods, Ali holed out with four balls remaining before Archie Houghton was pinned LBW next ball.
That left Patrick Harrington, already on 36, with the tail and needing a boundary to win off the final ball, or three runs to tie.
Harrington’s lofted straight drive almost found the boundary, but it was stopped in the deep by Sulaiman Akhtar, finding keeper, Andrew McEwan who whipped the bails off, sparking scenes of jubilation for Berkshire.
“A remarkable achievement”
Bedfordshire head coach, Ballard was complimentary of his young team’s efforts despite the painful one-run loss in the final.
“It’s a gutting end to finish one run short, but the age of the side and what we have achieved this year in this tournament is remarkable,” said Ballard.
“It has been an incredible season for these boys. We have picked a young side in this tournament; we haven’t picked our experienced players so to get to a final and lose by one run is still a remarkable achievement.
“We are the smallest county but we are getting to a point where we have these young boys playing and they have delivered across the summer.
“It’s a great building point. It would have been fantastic to have won a trophy and got over the line but it’s one those things.
“Unfortunately someone has got to lose.”
Finals Day brings an end to another season for Bedfordshire, although the NCCA Championship is still to be decided as Buckinghamshire face Devon for the second consecutive season in a four-day game beginning on 6 September.
Source: www.bedfordindependent.co.uk
