Steelbacks hold on for win
Source -
sportinglife.com
Northamptonshire Steelbacks survived an early onslaught from Graeme Hick and Lou Vincent to move into contention for the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals.
Veteran Hick and Vincent got the Worcestershire Royals to within 100 of the daunting 191 target but when they both fell to England spinner Monty Panesar the hosts put the brakes on.
The 40-year-old Hick helped himself to 15 off Panesar's first over and moved to 50 from 26 balls, including two huge sixes, but the impressive off-spinner soon weaved his magic.
Hick tried to crash him into the stands in his second over but was bowled all ends up for 55.
New Zealand international Vincent then followed the same way for 40 and when Riki Wessels brilliantly stumped Ben Smith for just one the Steelbacks turned the screw.
Royals skipper Vikram Solanki and Steven Davies added 50 for the fourth wicket but they both fell in the final overs as the hosts held their nerve.
Northants had earlier won the toss and elected to bat, shrugging off the early loss of Usman Afzaal to post the imposing total.
Afzaal fell to Kabir Ali for just nine but Ganguly and Rob White - making his first Twenty20 appearance of the season - laid the platform for the impressive total.
They peppered the boundary boards in a partnership of 105 and both passed 50 for the first time in the competition.
White, who was given a life by Stephen Moore on 15, was first to 50, off 36 balls, when he smashed Gareth Batty over midwicket for a huge six.
Not to be outdone the former Indian captain also brought up his half-century and the 100 partnership in fine style when he launched Roger Sillence into the stands.
White continued the assault but when he had raced to 66 from 39 balls he skied Vikram Solanki into the deep and Ali held on to a great catch.
Ganguly's stay ended when he was run out for 73 but Steelbacks skipper David Sales and Lance Klusener continued to pile on the runs.
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