Eoin Morgan smashes 83* from 29 balls in record T20 chase
Somerset set Middlesex an imposing target of 227 on Friday, 30 August. However, Morgan was at his aggressive best, scaling it with six wickets and three overs to spare. It was the highest successful chase in domestic T20 cricket and the fourth-highest in all T20 cricket.
Morgan's half-century was studded with five fours and eight sixes, and sealed a quarter-final spot for his team.
Take a bow, @Eoin16. 83 off just 29 balls...
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) August 30, 2019
1️⃣4️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣4️⃣1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣4️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣1️⃣6️⃣4️⃣1️⃣6️⃣2️⃣6️⃣0️⃣4️⃣6️⃣#Blast19 pic.twitter.com/TJzENJW3V6
Somerset's total was courtesy skipper Tom Abell's unbeaten 47-ball 101, a quick fifty from opener Tom Banton and Edward Byrom's 20-ball 44. During their chase, Middlesex openers Dawid Malan and Paul Stirling provided a solid start, putting on 67 from the first 22 balls. AB de Villiers, the No.3, contributed a quick 16-ball 32 before Morgan took control.
He stepped in to bat when Middlesex were 111/3 in the ninth over, still requiring 116 from 68 balls. He quickly shifted gears and ensured Middlesex cruised to the win in Taunton.
"Going into the second half of the innings, we knew we’d have to be positive and play extremely well, but the way the guys started was outstanding," Morgan told Middlesex Cricket after the game.
YESSS!!!! YESS YES YES YESSSSS!!!!!!
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) August 30, 2019
What an unbelievable, indescribable, unforgettable night! 🙌
A domestic T20 RECORD CHASE! 💪#TeamMiddlesex pic.twitter.com/SQvIlu5dUJ
"With Dawid [Malan] and Paul [Stirling] at the top of the order, when we get off the start like that and with the middle-order we have, it allows us to go harder earlier because we have strength in depth throughout the batting line-up. I'm delighted that we are through to the quarter-finals. It was great."
Middlesex will face Nottinghamshire in the quarter-final on Thursday, 5 September.