ReportNo.3 Scores Scintillating Century as Essex Outshine Middlesex in Vitality Blast Thriller
Essex 207 for 6 (Pepper 101) beat Middlesex 203 for 7 (Holden 85*, Andersson 49) by four wickets
In a high-scoring affair at Chelmsford, Essex’s Michael Pepper played a match-winning knock, blasting a blistering century to steer his side to a four-wicket victory over Middlesex in the Vitality Blast.
Last year’s finalists Essex had lost their opening two matches, but they bounced back emphatically, courtesy of Pepper’s hard-hitting heroics. Chasing Middlesex’s challenging total of 203 for 7, Pepper came in at 14 for 1 and proceeded to feast on the opposition’s bowling attack, smashing an unbeaten 101 off just 44 deliveries, laced with six towering sixes.
“Pepper’s carnage was set up by a 83-run stand with Dean Elgar (32), and he found able support from Jordan Cox (22 off 8 balls) and Matt Critchley (16 off 11) as Essex comfortably reached their target with 14 balls to spare.”
For Middlesex, Max Holden’s unbeaten 85 off 42 balls and Martin Andersson’s quickfire 49 had earlier propelled them to an imposing total. However, their bowlers had no answer to Pepper’s onslaught, as the Essex opener single-handedly secured a much-needed victory for his side.
The win helped Essex get their Vitality Blast campaign up and running, while Middlesex suffered their second consecutive defeat to start the season.
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