Event of the Day: Second T20 Blast Quarter-final
Our event of the day is the second Vitality T20 Blast quarter final between Durham Jets and Sussex Sharks at the Emirates Riverside. Hosts Durham qualified for the quarter-finals in impressive fashion, notching up nine wins on their way to a second-place finish in the Northern Group. Visitors Sussex put a last gasp winning run together, with three consecutive victories in their final three matches to finish third in the Southern Group. Their place in the quarter-finals had been in doubt after they had to contend with an abandoned match and a no result in consecutive fixtures. However, they put these setbacks behind them, and they head into the quarter-finals as the form team. The Sharks victories over Gloucestershire and Glamorgan were particularly noteworthy, as these were sides who were also still in contention for a quarter final place. A devastating bowling display saw Sussex bowl Glamorgan all out for 88. Two days later, it was the batters who stole the show. Phillip Salt particularly impressed. The opening batsman hit sixty from just thirty balls, including eight fours and two sixes.
Durham experienced a much more straightforward route to the quarter-finals, sealing their spot with matches to spare. Not fancied at the start of the campaign, Durham silenced the doubters as they stormed into the knockout stages. Nathan Rimmington and Tom Latham have really shone so far. Additionally, Durham will benefit from their convincing County Championship victory over Glamorgan on Tuesday. This has gifted them a bonus day of rest. The hosts also should unexpectedly welcome back Ben Stokes from England duty. It has been a thrilling summer of T20 thus far. Today should be no different.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the fifth day of tennis action at the Connecticut Open. With world number one Simona Halep and double grand slam semi-finalist Johanna Konta withdrawing over the past few days, the tournament has been blown wide open. Meanwhile on the ATP World Tour, the Winston Salem Open continues. Elsewhere in the States, in Saint Petersburg, the MLB series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox begins at Tropicana Field. The second day of the Northern Trust gets underway in Paramus on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile on the LPGA Tour, day two of the CP Women’s Open is taking place in Regina. European Tour action can be found in the Czech Republic where the DD Real Czech Masters enters its second day. Two LA sides face off at the StubHub Centre in the MLS, as LA Galaxy host Los Angeles Football Club. In La Liga, Real Sociedad travel to Leganes, whilst in the Eredivisie, ADO Den Haag host Fortuna Sittard. Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich kick off their campaign at home to Hoffenheim. In Ligue 1, Lyon welcome Strasbourg to the Groupama Stadium. Two potential contenders for promotion from the Championship meet at the Riverside, as Middlesbrough face West Brom. Elsewhere in the UK, flat racing action continues at the Yorkshire Ebor Festival. NRL action comes from Auckland, where the Warriors play the Panthers at the Mt Smart Stadium. The Asian Games continue in Indonesia, where an assortment of sports will be on display.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Sussex Cricket; Durham Jets