SAEDNEWS: Ravi Bopara’s explosive century powered Northants to a thrilling win over Surrey, booking their first Finals Day spot since 2016.
According to Saed News; Cricket fans at The Kia Oval witnessed an extraordinary night of T20 drama as veteran all-rounder Ravi Bopara rolled back the years with a blistering century, sending Northamptonshire into Finals Day for the first time since 2016.
The rain-affected quarter-final, shortened to 14 overs per side, was already filled with tension before the first ball. Surrey, top of the South Group with 11 wins in 14 matches, were widely considered favorites. But cricket has a way of defying expectations, and Bopara was ready to remind everyone why he remains a name to be feared.
Northants began disastrously, losing opener Ricardo Vasconcelos to the very first ball and captain David Willey soon after, leaving them reeling at 1-2. Enter Bopara at number three. With calm determination and explosive hitting, the 40-year-old former England international rebuilt the innings.
In just 46 balls, Bopara reached 105 not out, smashing 12 boundaries and five towering sixes. His third T20 century, sealed with a fine-leg boundary off the penultimate delivery, was described by many as one of the finest knocks in the competition’s 21-year history. Supported briefly by his teammates, he single-handedly pushed Northants to 154-4.
Surrey’s reply was spirited but inconsistent. Captain Sam Curran produced an unbeaten 69 and shared a crucial 74-run stand with Ollie Pope (41). Yet, Northants’ bowlers found key breakthroughs at decisive moments. George Scrimshaw’s double strike, dismissing Pope and Dan Lawrence in the same over, tilted the momentum. He finished with 3-34, supported by Ben Sanderson and Willey, who tightened the screws at the death.
Needing 19 runs from the final over, Surrey fell short at 147-6, handing Northants a dramatic seven-run victory.
For Surrey, the loss is a bitter pill. Despite topping the group, they missed out on a third straight Finals Day appearance, prolonging their wait for a title since their sole triumph in 2003.
For Bopara and Northants, however, it was a night to cherish. With the veteran proving that age is no barrier to brilliance, they now head to Edgbaston on 13 September with renewed belief that another championship could be within reach.
Cricket fans won’t soon forget this rain-soaked quarter-final, not for the weather, but for the unforgettable reminder of Ravi Bopara’s enduring magic.
