Benny Heroics In Vain As Netherlands Win
6 May 2012
Benny Howell's brilliant 72 not out off 51 balls was not enough to save Gloucestershire from a nerve-tingling one-run defeat by the Netherlands in the opening Clydesdale Bank 40 match at Bristol.
The former Hampshire batsman almost pulled victory out of the fire after his side had fallen well behind the required run-rate chasing 240 to win.
He hit 4 fours and 2 sixes after arriving at the crease with the cause looking lost. And, supported first by Hamish Marshall and then Ian Cockbain, he ensured the outcome went down to the very last ball.
Thirteen were needed off the last over bowled by Mudassar Bukhari. Jon Batty hit a boundary, but with three needed to win off the final delivery, Howell could manage only a leg-bye.
Benny told this website: “It was sickening to lose after going so close. But I was delighted to play so well because I am loving my time with Gloucestershire.
“I want to continue working hard to earn a contract. We have a great young group of players at the club and the future looks bright so I want to be part of it.”
Gloucestershire made 238-8 in reply to 239-6 and skipper Alex Gidman, who opened their reply with brother Will, offered no excuses.
He said: "We lost the game at the start of both innings. Our bowling wasn't good enough at the beginning of the game and we left ourselves too much to do with the bat.
"Benny played brilliantly and so nearly won the game for us. But there were lessons to be learned and the good thing is that we have a game tomorrow against Middlesex to put things right."
Graeme McCarter and Dan Housego will travel with the squad to Lord's and Alex does not rule out team changes.
For more details of a thrilling game click on Cricket and then Match reports.
