Bucks win thriller against Berks

24 Jun 2024

Bucks ended a disappointing National Counties Trophy campaign on a high when an inspired spell from skipper Tom Hampton gave them a thrilling four-run victory over Berkshire at Chesham on Sunday.

At the start of the final over, Berkshire, replying to the Bucks total of 253, needed six for victory with two wickets standing.

Hampton dismissed Tommy Sturgess off the first ball and the dangerous Dan Lincoln off the fifth, while conceding only one run, to dismiss the visitors for 249.

Hampton finished with amazing figures of 6-55 from 7.5 overs.

Despite the result, Bucks finished bottom of Group 3, after their three previous defeats, while Berkshire topped the group and progress to the knock-out stages along with runners-up Devon.

Put in to bat, Bucks were indebted to Alex Kervezee 's 66 from 88 balls, which includes one six and only for fours, for reaching 253 all out in 48.3 overs

George Harvey contributed 36, while Vanish Jani, a 19-year-old debutant from Richmond, contributed a fluent 23.

Bucks looked like reaching 270 but lost their last four wickets for nine runs. Andy Rishton took 4-44.

Berkshire were given a good start by openers Rhys Lewis (54) and Johnny Connelly (45), but Hampton checked their progress with regular wickets before his excellent finale.

Full report to follow Scorecard