Dorset dumped out of T20 after two big losses

DORSET were knocked out of the NCCA T20 Super 12s after two large defeats at Oxfordshire’s Gordon Taylor Oval.

Luke Webb’s men needed to finish top of Group Four, beating Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire, to advance to Finals Day.

However, they were left with a mountain to climb after a 63-run loss to Cambridgeshire, before Oxfordshire confirmed their place in the last four with a 39-run victory.

Webb won the toss and elected to field first in Dorset’s first fixture against Cambridgeshire.

READ MORE: Dorset lose to Cheshire by 102 runs in NCCA Trophy

Despite early breakthroughs for James Trodd (1-43) and Ollie Breckon (1-22), Dorset were put to the sword with a whopping 136-run stand for the third wicket.

Former Derbyshire all-rounder Wayne White smashed 76 from 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, while Daniel Andrew blasted an unbeaten 90 from 49 deliveries, smacking eight sixes and five boundaries.

Cambridgeshire posted 189-3 and Dorset lost star batter Sam Young to the first ball of their reply.

Joseph Eckland chalked up 62 from 40 balls, complete with six fours and three sixes, but Dorset never got close to the 190 target and were dismissed for 126 as left-arm spinner Harrison Craig took 3-18.

Dorset fared little better in the decisive second game, effectively following the same blueprint for defeat.

Webb won the toss, elected to field and was powerless to stop Oxfordshire racking up 193-7.

Danial Ibraham (54no) and Zach Lion-Cachet (48) were the key performers for Oxon, who dished out severe punishment to Trodd (0-57) in particular.

Dorset did manage a more respectable effort with the willow this time, Young caning 45 from 23 balls including six maximums.

Trodd went for a golden duck to complete a miserable day for the seamer, while Dorset’s Finn Gordon (29) and Alex Eckland (27no) were the only other batters to breach the twenties.

Oxon’s Henry Welch (3-38) ended with the most wickets for the hosts, who this Sunday join Cumbria, Staffordshire and Berkshire at Finals Day at Chester Boughton Hall.