T20 Blast: Harry Brook, Joe Root give Yorkshire the perfect start

Brook smashed 60 off just 27 deliveries to guide Yorkshire home with 11 balls to spare. © Getty
Yorkshire vs Worcestershire

An outstanding partnership between Harry Brook and skipper Joe Root gave Yorkshire the perfect start to their T20 Blast campaign on Wednesday (May 25). Chasing 173, Yorkshire appeared to be in a bit of trouble in the tournament opener when Dawid Malan departed in the 11th over with his side still needing 85 runs. However, Root ensured there was no collapse and forged a partnership with Brook to take the game away from Worcestershire. While Root finished with an unbeaten 35 off just 24 balls, Brook was far more aggressive in his approach as he smashed 60 off just 27 deliveries to guide his side home with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier in the evening, Worcestershire looked all set to go past 200 given the start they had made. Even though Dom Bess struck very early, Brett D'Oliveira and Jack Haynes ensured their side made 70 in the powerplay. When Haynes fell for 61 in the 13th over, Worcestershire still were in a great position at 123/3 with seven more overs left in the tank to add to their tally. But the Yorkshire bowlers staged a commendable comeback towards the back end of the innings. Jordan Thompson's three-wicket burst and a couple of run outs added to the batting side's woes as they added only 49 runs in their five seven overs.

Brief scores: Worcestershire172/9 in 20 overs (Jack Haynes 61, Brett D'Oliveira 32; Jordan Thompson 3/35) lost toYorkshire 175/3 in 18.1 overs (Harry Brook 60*, Adam Lyth 40, Joe Root 35*) by 7 wickets

Kent vs Somerset

A terrific century stand between Rilee Rossouw and Tom Abell was instrumental in Somerset's comfortable 8-wicket win over Kent in Canterbury. Chasing 163 to begin their campaign on a high, Somerset lost openers Tom Banton and Will Smeed inside the first seven overs with only 45 on the board. Rossouw and Abell then took charge of the situation and batted throughout the chase to turn the tables. Unfortunately for Kent, Afghanistan spinner Qais Ahmed couldn't make an impact and ended up conceding 38 runs in his four overs and with the rest also struggling, Somerset got past the finishing line with five balls to spare. Rossouw was unbeaten on 81 whereas Abell made 48* off 29 balls.

The victory was set up by the bowlers though earlier in the evening. Kent made a horror start after opting to bat. Zak Crawley made just 4 and the likes of Joe Denly and Sam Billings followed suit with single-digit scores as well. With Daniel Bell-Drummond also departing for just 12, Kent were reeling at 33/4 before being rescued by Jack Leaning. George Linde and Grant Stewart came up with vital cameos to play the supporting role as Leaning's unbeaten 72 guided Kent to a fighting 162, which was not enough on the night.

Brief scores: Kent 162/6 in 20 overs (Jack Leaning 72*, George Linde 29; Lewis Gregory 3-25) lost to Somerset 166/2 in 19.1 overs (Rilee Rossouw 81*, Tom Abell 48*; Fred Klaassen 1/21) by 8 wickets