CRICKET: BIRMINGHAM Bears went top of the T20 Blast North Division on Tuesday night following a nerve-jangling win against Northamptonshire.
Young bowler Aaron Thomason held his nerve to defend 13 from the final over as Birmingham defeated their midlands rivals at Wantage Road.
Playing in just his 13th T20 game, the 20-year-old was trusted with the final two overs of the game – where at the time 27 was needed from 18 balls.
He conceded just seven runs from his opening over before Jeetan Patel’s efforts meant the home side required an ‘unlucky for some’ total in the final over.
Though Alex Wakely struck the second ball of the over for six – meaning Northamptonshire needed just four runs from two balls – Thomason held the game for Bears.
It means Bears top the group having totalled 13 points from ten fixtures, though nearest pursuers Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Northamptonshire do have a game in hand.
Bears are next in action on Friday night at Edgbaston against local rivals Worcestershire in a crunch fixture.
The game is due to start at 7pm with tickets still available online from the club’s website.
Pictures: Manjit Narotra.
