Cheshire at the double 'usher' in T20 Super 12s

Game 1: Northumberland 133-7 (20 overs) Cheshire 134-9 (19.5 overs), Cheshire won by 1 wicket 

Scorecard & video highlights  YouTube live stream

Game 2:Cheshire 182-7 (20 overs), Northumberland 158-9 (20 overs). Cheshire won by 24 runs 

Scorecard & video highlights  YouTube highlights   YouTube live stream

Group 1 Table 

Cheshire produced a day to remember at South Northumberland CC, winning two gripping contests to leapfrog Northumberland and snatch a place in the NCCA T20 Super 12s.

With qualification hanging in the balance, Harry Dearden's side rose to the occasion magnificently, delivering two outstanding performances packed with nerve, resilience and individual brilliance.

The first game was a nail-biting thriller that went right down to the penultimate ball. Under leaden skies, Cheshire looked beaten more than once before Isaac Brooks launched a towering six to seal a dramatic one-wicket victory and spark jubilant celebrations.

Runs were hard to come by throughout. Northumberland battled their way to 133-7, with Brooks starring with the ball, claiming an excellent 3-22. Cheshire debutant Will Espley also impressed, returning figures of 2-24, while Jonny Bushnell top-scored for the hosts with 32.

The chase proved every bit as difficult.

An early collapse left Cheshire reeling at 4-2 before wickets continued to tumble. Just when hopes appeared to be fading, Xander Selby produced another composed innings, finishing unbeaten on 29, while Sandbach's Jack Collett marked his senior debut with a mature 19 after stepping up from the 2nd XI.

Still, Cheshire needed something special.

With the pressure at its absolute peak, Brooks delivered exactly that, launching an enormous six from the penultimate delivery to complete one of the most dramatic victories of the season.

That result turned the second match into a straight shoot-out for qualification – winner takes all.

Once again, Cheshire answered the call.

After winning the toss and batting first, they recovered from another slow start at 22-2 to post an imposing 182-7. Alfie Usher produced a superb 64, timing the ball beautifully as he shared a magnificent 100-run partnership for the third wicket with Freddie Vaughan-Hawkins to wrest control of the innings.

Henry Murray added a valuable 19, while Selby again finished unbeaten with an important 18 as Cheshire closed with what looked a highly competitive total, having threatened to push beyond 200.

Northumberland's reply never quite gathered sustained momentum. Although they remained within touching distance through John Oswell (44) and Sean Tindale (22), Cheshire's disciplined bowling and outstanding fielding kept the pressure firmly on.

Chris Youlden threatened to swing the game back in the hosts' favour before Andy Jackson struck a decisive blow, having him caught by Brooks for 33. From there, Cheshire tightened their grip, with Espley again excelling to finish with 3-37 and Jackson claiming 2-29 as the innings faded in the closing overs.

It completed a remarkable day's work and secured Cheshire's place in the Super 12s in emphatic fashion.

The two debutants slotted seamlessly into the side, while Cheshire's catching and ground fielding reached another level, producing a performance full of energy, intensity and composure at exactly the right time.

Attention now turns to the NCCA KO Trophy Final in two weeks' time (v Berkshire), with confidence soaring after one of Cheshire's finest T20 days in recent years.

The Super 12s will see the four group winners each host a qualifying day on 9 August. Second-placed teams will face third-placed qualifiers from other groups, with the winners then meeting the hosts for a place at Finals Day. Venues and fixtures will be confirmed in due course.

Cheshire: Harry Dearden (captain - Woodbank), Sam Perry (Alderley Edge), Gennaro Reddy (Alderley Edge), Alfie Usher (Alderley Edge), Henry Murray (Toft), Freddie Vaughan-Hawkins (wk - Timperley), Andy Jackson (Hyde), Xavier Selby (Woodbank), Will Espley (Lindow), Isaac Brooks (Lindow), Jack Collett (Sandbach), 12th man - Liam Clorely (Toft)