Second XI Report: Bears v Jets
Oliver Hannon-Dalby continued his return to full fitness and Ed Pollock fired a devastating ton as the Birmingham Bears faced Durham in a T20 double header at Barnt Green.
The seamer, who played in the first gam, bowled figures 3.1-0-26-1 as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Hannon-Dalby then arrived at the Fischer County Ground to bowl with the rest of the unit, giving plenty of optimism that he’ll be able to play for the Bears against the Outlaws and Lightning over the weekend.
Pollock meanwhile impressed in the second fixture, firing his 39 ball hundred in a 43 minute attack which included seven fours and nine sixes.
The score helped the Bears reach a strong total of 193/7, but Durham responded with their top five adding 168 runs including three partnerships of 45, 51 and 56.
Experienced ‘keeper Ned Eckersley top scored with 57 from 28 balls as the visitors reached 157/3 after 15 overs, needing 37 from 30 balls.
Jake Lintott and Craig Miles however, bowled superbly under pressure restricting them to just 23 runs in four overs, requiring Durham to score 14 in the last over.
But it wasn’t to be for the Bears as Eckersley took over. Taking a dot first ball, the former Leicestershire Fox then struck all fourteen runs, including three fours of which one was off the final ball.
The opening fixture wasn’t as nail biting as Durham restricted the Bears to 114 all out with Jake Lintott top scoring with 28.
In reply, the Jets reached the total in 14.1 overs, finishing on 119/2.
The results mean the Bears are unable to qualify for the semi-finals at Arundel.
The Second XI will now return their attentions to the Second XI Trophy.