Chris Lynn posted two centuries in the space of a week for Northamptonshire. (Photo: @NorthantsCCC Twitter)
The Vitality T20 Blast continues to provide plenty of highlights, with a host of Aussies shining with both bat and ball across the second week of the tournament.
The Inner Sanctum takes a look at how each of the 15 Aussies in action fared in the most recent matches to be played.
Hayden Kerr (Derbyshire):
Across all four of Derbyshire’s recent T20 Blast matches, Kerr has taken at least one wicket, embracing the responsibility of bowling up front and at the death.
In a high-scoring affair against Lancashire, Kerr finished with figures of 1-45 off his 4 overs. This included the wicket of damaging English all-rounder Liam Livingstone.
Against Northamptonshire, Kerr found himself promoted up the batting order to number three, a move which proved quite productive. The 25-year-old amassed 29 off 22 balls, an innings that included three fours. Kerr also made an impact with the ball, claiming the big scalp of fellow Australian Chris Lynn off the very first delivery of the innings. The New South Welshman ended up with figures of 1-23 off 2 overs.
During his side’s six-wicket win over Leicestershire, Kerr again contributed with ball in hand, taking 2-25 off 3 overs.
Meanwhile, Kerr regained his spot at number three in the batting order against Worcestershire, however, was unable to replicate his success at Northampton, falling cheaply for two. Nevertheless, the all-rounder was a significant contributor with the ball, collecting figures of 2-24 of 4 overs to help Derbyshire secure a 39-run win.
Andrew Tye (Durham):
Experienced T20 bowler Andrew Tye played his first game for Durham in their clash with Worcestershire, replacing fellow West Australian teammate Ashton Turner who is out due to injury.
Tye got off to a great start, taking 3-27 off 4 overs to help his side secure a comfortable 48-run win.
A couple of days later against Yorkshire, the 35-year-old registered a handy 10 off 3 balls late in his side’s batting innings. He also collected figures of 2-33 off 3 overs. However, this proved to be not enough to prevent his side from succumbing to defeat.
Tye was again amongst the wickets during his side’s clash with Northamptonshire, collecting impressive figures of 3-28 off 4 overs. This was backed up with figures of 1-23 off 3 overs against Birmingham.
Tye was also central to Durham’s hard-fought victory against Lancashire, finishing with figures of 3-29 off 4 overs. He also played his part with the bat, notching a vital five not out to help his side win the match with only three balls to spare.
It’s certainly been a strong start for Tye since arriving in the UK, having taken twelve wickets at an average of 11.67 across five matches thus far.
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Daniel Sams (Essex):
After a relatively subdued start to his T20 Blast campaign with Essex, Sams performed strongly for his side in its recent encounters.
Against Glamorgan, Sams finished with figures of 1-25 off 2.5 overs, with his side unable to get themselves over the line.
However, Sams was instrumental to Essex’s seven-wicket win over Kent. The 29-year-old featured heavily, producing impressive figures of 2-22 off his 4 overs while also taking four catches in the field.
Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan):
Labuschagne continued to try and put his best foot forward for Glamorgan in its recent matches, before ultimately departing for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka.
During his side’s six-wicket win over Essex, Labuschagne conceded only 10 runs off two overs with the ball, while also accumulating 18 off 18 balls with the bat.
It was a below-par performance from Labuschagne against Somerset, with the 27-year-old dismissed cheaply for one by Brisbane Heat teammate Lewis Gregory. He was also ineffective with the ball, conceding 19 runs off his single over.
Labuschagne responded against Surrey, however, finishing with figures of 2-27 off 4 overs. In what was his last game for Glamorgan this season, Labuschagne didn’t receive an opportunity from a batting perspective, with the rain-affected match ultimately ending in a draw.
Michael Neser (Glamorgan):
Neser produced a fine display of fast bowling against Essex, helping Glamorgan restrict the away side to a below-par total of 113. The right-arm seamer took 3-13 off 4 overs at a remarkable economy rate of 3.25.
He also played his part in the field, having executed the run-out of dangerous all-rounder Daniel Sams.
Just like many of his teammates, Neser was less influential against Somerset, finishing with figures of 0-17 off 2.1 overs.
Meanwhile, Glamorgan’s clash with Surrey saw the 32-year-old produce figures of 2-40 off 4 overs, having picked up the big wickets of Jason Roy and Will Jacks.
Nathan Ellis (Hampshire):
Ellis produced some commendable performances for Hampshire in a few of its recent encounters.
Against Surrey, the 27-year-old finished with tidy figures of 0-26 off 4 overs, an admirable effort given Surrey posted a mammoth score of 228 off its allotted 20 overs.
Ellis also contributed strongly during Hampshire’s first win of the T20 Blast campaign against Sussex, claiming figures of 1-24 off 4 overs.
Ben McDermott (Hampshire):
Despite being left out of the Australian squad for its tour of Sri Lanka, Ben McDermott has been in a rich vein of form over the last week of T20 Blast action.
During his side’s 72-run defeat at the hands of Surrey, McDermott scored a quickfire 29 off 12 balls at the top of the innings, with his knock including two fours and three sixes.
This was followed by an impressive innings against Sussex, with the destructive opening batter blasting his way to 60 off 35 balls to help set his team up for victory. McDermott’s knock included three fours and five sixes, whilst also contributing to an imposing 124-run opening stand with Englishman James Vince.
However, McDermott reached even greater heights against Middlesex, scoring a blistering 83 off 30 balls to again drag his team over the line. Going at a remarkable strike rate of 276.67, McDermott hit five fours and nine sixes, working in tandem with Vince to produce another 100-run plus partnership.
The in-form wicketkeeper batter eventually came unstuck against Essex, where he was dismissed cheaply for two. Nevertheless, Hampshire was still able to win the match by 32 runs.
It was a similar story against Glamorgan, with McDermott dismissed early for 6 off 10 balls despite his team still recording a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
Tim David (Lancashire):
Having already begun his T20 Blast campaign in fine fashion, Tim David continues to go from strength to strength for Lancashire.
A 17-run win over Derbyshire saw David amass 22 off 14 balls, an innings that included four boundaries. He was also serviceable with the ball, producing tidy figures of 0-20 off 3 overs.
David was again influential during his side’s nail-biting two-wicket win against Northamptonshire. With Lancashire bowling first, David collected 1-22 off his 2 overs, dismissing the in-form Jimmy Neesham in the process. The 26-year-old then produced a fine knock of 42 off 26 balls, including one four and three sixes to help his team secure a memorable victory.
Against Leicestershire, David was again amongst the wickets, taking 1-16 off 2 overs. He then calmly guided his team to a seven-wicket win, compiling an unbeaten 24* off 17 balls.
But it was against Yorkshire that David truly gave spectators a brutal display of power hitting. The damaging middle-order batter smashed 66 off 32 balls at a more than healthy strike rate of 206.25. David’s knock included four boundaries and six maximums, ultimately proving to be the difference in the match with Lancashire hanging on for a narrow four-run victory.
David’s outstanding run with the bat eventually came to an end against Durham, where he made way for six. Regardless, it’s been an impressive T20 Blast campaign for David thus far. He has now scored 270 runs at an average of 38.57.
Lancashire is sitting on the top of the table in the North Group of the Blast.
Jason Behrendorff (Middlesex):
Left-arm seamer Jason Behrendorff has enjoyed a steady start to his T20 Blast campaign with Middlesex.
In his first outing against Sussex, Behrendorff was very economical, claiming figures of 1-23 off his 4 overs.
This was backed up with a solid display against Kent, with the 32-year-old taking 1-39 off 4 overs, including a wicket off the third ball of the match. Not known for his batting exploits, Behrendorff also added a handy 13* off 10 balls late in the game.
The West Australian then had minimal impact against Hampshire, finishing with figures of 0-18 off 2 overs. However, Behrendorff collected a couple of wickets against Surrey, taking 2-36 off 4 overs.
During his side’s 61-run loss at the hands of Essex, Behrendorff produced figures of 0-26 off 4 overs.
Chris Green (Middlesex):
Despite his side’s form struggles, Green has performed admirably in recent matches.
The 28-year-old had an impact with both and bat ball against Sussex, scoring a valuable 22 off 11 balls, before going on to collect commendable figures of 1-29 off 4 overs. His efforts were not enough however to prevent Middlesex from succumbing to a five-wicket loss.
Green was also a shining light for his side during its defeat to Kent, taking 3-29 off 4 overs to go with a couple of catches out in the field.
Green was less impactful against Hampshire days later, reaching seven with the bat and going wicketless off his 2 overs.
The off-spinning all-rounder responded though during his side’s clash with Surrey, taking one wicket and compiling an impressive knock of 46* off 29 balls. This was backed up with figures of 1-38 off 4 overs against Essex.
Chris Lynn (Northamptonshire):
It’s been a phenomenal last week for Chris Lynn in the T20 Blast, with the commanding opening batter scoring runs for fun.
During his side’s 42-run win against the struggling Leicestershire, Lynn brought up an incredible unbeaten century. Amassing 106* off 66 balls, Lynn hit 12 fours and three sixes, combining with New Zealander Jimmy Neesham for a 118-run partnership.
This was backed up with a vital knock of 61 off 47 balls against Durham, helping to guide his team to an important victory. Lynn’s innings included five fours and two sixes.
There was a minor blip for Lynn against Derbyshire, with the Queenslander departing the crease for a golden duck off the very first ball of his side’s batting innings. Nevertheless, Northamptonshire was still able to secure a five-wicket win.
However, Lynn was back to his destructive best in no time, blasting his way to yet another hundred against Worcestershire just days later. The 32-year-old hit eight fours and nine sixes on his way to a score of 113*, again putting his name up in lights.
Lynn has now scored 379 runs across six innings thus far in the campaign, averaging an incredible 94.75. He has also hit a whopping 54 boundaries.
Northamptonshire currently sits second on the table in the North Group of the Blast.
Dan Christian (Nottinghamshire):
Christian had a quiet day against Derbyshire, captaining his side to victory without featuring with both bat or ball. The 39-year-old did however execute a run-out.
In a rain-affected clash with Birmingham, Christian scored 13 off 13 balls, with Nottinghamshire succumbing to a narrow one-run loss.
Christian performed strongly though against Yorkshire, accumulating 56 off 35 balls while batting at number seven. His innings included three fours and three sixes, however, proved to be not enough to prevent his side from falling short by 23 runs.
Nottinghamshire did prevail though against Leicestershire, winning by five wickets. Christian gave himself some overs with the ball, taking a tidy 1-12 off 2 overs.
James Pattinson (Nottinghamshire):
Pattinson earnt his first T20 Blast appearance for Nottinghamshire against Derbyshire. The Victorian took 2-38 off 3 overs, with his side cruising to a seven-wicket win.
Pattinson was less effective against Birmingham, conceding 19 runs off just the one over. He has not featured since.
Peter Siddle (Somerset):
Just like fellow Victorian James Pattinson, Siddle also recently played his first match for the tournament. In a shortened game against Gloucestershire, Siddle finished with figures of 0-23 off 2 overs. Somerset went on to win the clash by three wickets.
Siddle was then the pick of the bowlers for Somerset against Kent, taking 1-27 off 4 overs despite his side’s 32-run loss.
Josh Phillippe (Sussex):
Before heading off to Sri Lanka to join Australia A’s squad, Josh Philippe produced a sublime innings against Somerset. The 24-year-old opened the batting for the first time in the campaign, notching 70 off 43 balls to help his side claim a 47-run victory. Phillippe’s knock included three fours and five sixes.
The next set of T20 Blast matches is due to begin on June 18.
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