BIRMINGHAM Bears secured a home quarter-final in the T20 Blast after easing to a 44-run win against Derbyshire Falcons.
Half-centuries from Dan Mousley (60 not out), Moeen Ali (59) and Sam Hain (52 not out) helped the Bears reach 198-2 from their 20 overs against the Vikings at Edgbaston.
And an excellent bowling display saw six different Bears bowlers take wickets as the home side bowled out Derbyshire for 154 in the final over.
The Bears batted first and ended the powerplay on 41-1 after Mohammad Amir (1-38) had opener Alex Davies (14) caught behind.
However, Ali hit nine boundaries on his way to a half-century before eventually falling to the bowling of Pat Brown (1-33).
A fine 111-run third-wicket partnership between Mousley and Hain came off just 62 balls, the highlight of which saw the latter smash a stunning six over extra cover.
In reply, the Falcons enjoyed a strong powerplay after reaching 60-1 although opener Luis Reece (15) skied George Garton (1-17) to mid on.
Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter as Danny Briggs (3-24) bowled David Lloyd (13) with his first delivery of the match.
And Jake Lintott (2-24) also struck in his first over, removing Aneurin Donald (30) to halt Derbyshire’s momentum.
Lintott also accounted for the crucial wicket of Falcons captain Samit Patel (28) before Briggs removed Wayne Madsen (19) just four balls later.
Briggs then trapped Ross Whiteley (10) LBW before Mousley (1-29) and Zakary Foulkes (1-25) both struck.
And Miles took the last the two wickets in consecutive balls in the final over as the Bears cruised to victory.
The Bears continue their T20 Blast campaign against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Thursday, July 18 with the game to begin at 6.45pm at the County Ground.
