Berkshire Book Place at Dojo T20 Finals Day with Commanding Win Over Cornwall
Berkshire 174-7 beat Cornwall 122 all out by 52 runs
Berkshire have booked their place at Dojo T20 Finals Day at Wormsley on 30 August after a superb all-round performance saw them overcome an excellent Cornwall side by 52 runs in a thrilling quarter-final.
With Cornwall having already defeated Suffolk in their earlier limited-overs contest to set up the quarter-final against Berkshire, the stage was set for a high-quality contest and Berkshire delivered when it mattered most.
Led brilliantly by captain Rhys Lewis, Berkshire showed composure with the bat before producing an outstanding collective bowling and fielding performance to dismiss Cornwall for 122 in just 18 overs.
Berkshire post imposing total
Cornwall won the toss and elected to bowl, and Berkshire were immediately tested by a disciplined attack.
Lewis got the innings moving with an assured 18 from 14 balls before Matt Dalrymple took centre stage with a scintillating 43 from just 30 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes. Dalrymple’s aggressive intent provided Berkshire with the momentum they needed through the middle overs.
Ben Salter added a valuable 26 from 18 balls, while James Isbell continued the acceleration with an excellent 28 from 19 deliveries.
With wickets falling at regular intervals, Berkshire needed a strong finish — and Andrew MacEwen and Toby Greatwood provided it. Greatwood’s unbeaten 19 from just 11 balls, including two sixes, and Andrew MacEwen 26 off 18 ensured Berkshire finished strongly to post an imposing 174-7 from their 20 overs.
It was a competitive total, but Cornwall’s dangerous batting line-up meant Berkshire knew the job was only half done.
Akhtar and Bhandari turn the screw
Cornwall came out with intent, and Paul Smith immediately demonstrated the threat he posed, smashing 47 from just 22 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.
But Berkshire refused to panic.
Euan Woods struck early, before Toby Greatwood removed John Moon, and the pressure began to build.
The decisive passage of play came through the outstanding partnership between Sulaiman Akhtar and Nilesh Bhandari.
Akhtar produced a magnificent spell of 4-0-12-3, combining control with attacking intent, while Bhandari was equally outstanding, returning 4-0-22-3.
Together they ripped through the Cornwall middle and lower order, ensuring that the pressure created by Berkshire’s fielders was converted into wickets.
Bhandari claimed three key wickets, while Akhtar’s spell proved virtually impossible for Cornwall to score from. Samm Daniel also made a crucial contribution with 1-14 from his three overs, including the important wicket of Elliot Hooper, who had begun to rebuild the innings.
The fielding was exceptional throughout. Cornwall were eventually bowled out for 122 in 18 overs, giving Berkshire a comprehensive 52-run victory.
Lewis leads Berkshire to Wormsley
At the heart of the victory was captain Rhys Lewis, who led his side with calmness and clarity throughout a pressure quarter-final.
Berkshire’s performance was ultimately one of a team that knew exactly how to win knockout cricket: a competitive total, aggressive batting when opportunities arose, disciplined bowling, and outstanding fielding when the pressure was at its highest.
There were standout performances everywhere, with Matt Dalrymple’s explosive 43, Nilesh Bhandari’s three-wicket haul, Sulaiman Akhtar’s remarkable 3-12, and Samm Daniel’s crucial spell all playing major roles.
But this was, above all, a complete Berkshire performance.
Now the focus turns to Wormsley on 30 August, where Berkshire will join the other successful quarter-finalists ( Staffordshire, Devon and Bedfordshire)at Dojo T20 Finals Day.
One step closer. One more opportunity to bring silverware back to Berkshire. – Read the FULL MATCH SCORECARD HERE