Surrey secure final berth

Azhar Mahmood, centre, finished with figures of two for nine
17 August 2013

Surrey were indebted to a pair of 38-year-olds as they booked their place in the Friends Life t20 final against Northamptonshire with a four-wicket win against defending champions Hampshire.

Zander de Bruyn and Azhar Mahmood, who was a part of Surrey's inaugural success in 2003, showed time has not dimmed their powers as they got their side over the line in a low-scoring semi-final.

Mahmood produced the second most miserly figures on a finals day to restrict a power-packed Hampshire batting line-up to 142 for nine.

The former Pakistan all-rounder returned two for nine from his four overs, with only Sean Ervine's 47 giving Hampshire, who had lost just once this season, a workable total in sluggish conditions.

It proved a difficult chase, as drizzle set in, but De Bruyn's experience proved vital as he hit an unbeaten 41, before Zafar Ansari's late 21 from 12 balls got Surrey home in the final over.

It meant Hampshire's quest for an unprecedented third Twenty20 title in four years was ended.

Surrey were never in full command of their chase, with Glenn Maxwell's 26 the best from the top order as they seemed more intent to remain ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis method score.

But that strategy was compromised by two wickets in two balls at the start of the 17th over.

Gary Wilson was well caught by Neil McKenzie after skying Chris Wood, before Mahmood was run out next ball to leave Surrey on 112 for six.

De Bruyn kept his nerve, though, to reduce the ask to 18 from the last two overs and when Ansari hit the second ball of Wood's penultimate over for six, Surrey were able to coast home with four balls left.

Hampshire's hopes of posting a testing target were dented with three wickets inside the powerplay.

Most significantly, the competition's leading run-scorer Michael Carberry fell, for just six, when he drove Jon Lewis to cover point.

Jade Dernbach picked up James Vince and McKenzie in the same over before the champions were left reliant on Ervine for a total that proved short.

Earlier in the day, Northamptonshire completed their unlikely journey to a first Twenty20 final with a seven-wicket win over Essex.

An unbeaten 78-run stand between Cameron White and Steven Crook ensured they reached Essex's 168 for five with 11 balls to spare - the highest successful run chase on finals day.

Opener Richard Levi's 57 from 35 balls laid the foundation for a pursuit that had threatened to lose direction before White (36 not out) and Crook (46) stole the game away inside 36 balls.

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