Shropshire Star

Tom Helm follows Brendon McCullum’s lead as Middlesex thrash Essex in T20 Blast

Northamptonshire climb up to second in the North Group table after cruising to a seven-wicket win against Worcestershire.

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Tom Helm’s five-for and Brendon McCullum’s rapid half-century helped Middlesex beat Essex Eagles by 72 runs to climb off the bottom of the NatWest T20 Blast South Group table.

Pace bowler Helm ripped through the Eagles’ batting line-up as his five-wicket haul came at a cost of just 11 runs as the visitors were skittled out for 131 after Middlesex had set a winning target of 204.

Only wicketkeeper James Foster offered any stern resistance for the Eagles, with his 23-ball half-century including two sixes before he fell victim to Helm.

Earlier, New Zealand’s McCullum had got his side off to a flying start as he bludgeoned five sixes and six fours to reach 63 off only 28 balls before being caught by Simon Harmer off Ravi Bopara.

Wicketkeeper John Simpson (51) and England one-day skipper Eoin Morgan (39) both hit two sixes in quickfire cameo roles to help lift Middlesex to 203 for six.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks climbed up to second in the North Group table after cruising to a seven-wicket win against Worcestershire Rapids.

Chasing 159 for victory in Northampton, the Steelbacks comfortably reached their target with two overs and two balls to spare.

Richard Levi (47), opening partner Adam Rossington (42) and captain Alex Wakely (46 not out) each smashed two sixes, while Rossington’s knock included five fours and came off 20 balls.

Brett D’Oliveira’s 30-ball half-century was the highlight of the Rapids’ innings – his 52 including six fours and one six – while Mitchell Santner (37) struck three sixes from 27 deliveries.

But the Steelbacks’ bowlers were always on top. Rory Kleinveldt and Richard Gleeson took three wickets each, at a cost of 25 and 12 runs respectively, and Rob Keogh two for 31 as the Rapids were restricted to 158 all out.

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