Followers of this blog will know that I'm not a huge fan of twenty20. However, on a personal recommendation (thanks, Dipz) and the fact that it was scheduled for Cardiff, I bought my ticket for Finals Day before the season had started. It was therefore a huge relief that Somerset managed to qualify yet again. Maybe I would bring them luck?!
All week the weather forecast for Saturday had been dire but by Friday night, there were more reasons for optimism. Nevertheless, like any English (or Welsh)man venturing off to a summer sporting occasion, I set off with waterproof jacket, sweatshirt, sunhat and sunglasses and umbrella. Of course, I went on to use each and every one of them. Best of all, the showers that did venture over the Swalec were too timid to bring the players off the pitch. In fact, the only event threatened by the rain was the Mascots race but the Glamorgan dragon used knowledge of local conditions to take the prize.
I was impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of the staff, the ticketing and general feel of the stadium, big enough to take thousands of spectators and generate atmosphere yet not overwhelming in the way an Oval or Edgbaston can be.
So what about the cricket? Well, it wasn't a day for big scores, as it became obvious early on that spin and seam would take centre stage. IN the first game, Yorkshire's top three failed miserably against Sussex skipper Mike Yardy and Scott Styris, only for man of the moment Jonny Bairstow and young South African David Miller to take charge and put on 82. Bairstow was still there at the end on 68 to set Sussex a stiff target of 171 to win. They never got close. The scoreboard had a very top-heavy appearance. Chris Nash scored a solid 80 not out but Bresnan, Azim Rafiq and Pyrah bowled well and won the game by 36 runs.
Right, now for the main event: the almost annual Finals Day battle between Somerset and Hampshire. Rory Bremner, in topical reference to Prince Harry's Las Vegas antics, had quipped that the Royals would perform naked. They didn't but they had far too much on for Somerset. Despite nursing a sore shoulder, captain Mascarenhas bowled beautifully, conceding only 11 runs and taking the wickets of Levi and Trescothick, after the latter's beautiful straight six off Dawson. As with Nash for Sussex, opener Craig Kieswetter tried to hold the innings together but it was too slow and 125-6 would never be sufficient. Carberry streaked three fours off Alfonso Thomas' first over and, although Somerset did well to stay in the game, Africans McKenzie and Ervine came alive in the nineteenth over to send the Sabres home without silverware yet again.
Following the semis, the much-heralded Tremendium was a tremendium disappointment but at least we got an excellent final. Both sides were unchanged and it was impossible to call the result. One thing for sure: the Yorkshire fans in the main stand were the most voluble. Mascarenhas then won the toss and chose to bat before the floodlights reached full strength.
Hampshire made steady but unspectacular progress, but struggled against Ryan Sidebottom and Azeem Rafiq, still the youngest player ever to play in the domestic T20 competition. Adams and Vince each scored more than 30 but it was a late cameo by Katich which helped them reach 150.
After the break, Gale and Jaques made a spritely start, then overs 4 to 11 yielded a mere 24 runs, with Mascarenhas (again), Dawson and Briggs being particularly miserly. Wickets fell, too, and when Bairstow was caught behind for only three, Hampshire were definitely in the driving seat. The Carnegie were being effectively strangled so, when Ervine began the twelfth over, with almost eleven an over required, David Miller decided it was time to accelerate. The first two balls were sent straight back over the bowler's head and out of the ground, very probably lost in the River Teifi. Another came soon after and he continued to enjoy batting at the Cathedral Road end. The fifth wicket partnership doubled the Carnegie's total of 49 in five overs, yet Gary Ballance contributed only seven, such was the ferocity of Miller's striking.
Tim Bresnan bristled with aggression as he joined Miller and they kept up with the required rate until the nineteenth over which brought them only seven. Chris Wood's lively left-arm pace yeilded instant results as Bresnan skied a catch to Ervine. Pyrah managed only a single then, with Miller stranded at the other end, Rafiq failed to score the required eleven off the last ball!
I really thought Yorkshire might have clinched their first T20 title but in the end Hampshire proved worthy winners on the day. Miller's fireworks gave way to the real thing, lighting up the Cardiff sky, and the men in yellow celebrated. It was nice to see the Yorkshire team gamely applauding their noisy fans in the Foster's Grandstand away to my left, but it was Hampshire who came away from the Swalec with the Friends Life trophy.
So did the experience make me a T20 convert? Maybe a little but only because I saw 120 overs of exciting cricket. Some tight bowling, scintillating strokeplay including huge sixes from Kieswetter and Miller, energetic fielding from many (Buttler, Bresnan and Kirby amongst them) and daft costumes a-plenty added to the carnival atmosphere and I came away from the stadium with happy memories as well as sunburn. If only Somerset could have won, my day would have been complete...
