In the breakneck competition of Indian Premier League (IPL), not every player in the squad is guaranteed a place in the playing XI. While Mumbai Indians (MI) fans were not happy with their decision of not giving Arjun Tendulkar his IPL debut cap, there was one overseas player in Punjab Kings (PBKS) squad who warmed the benches despite their last league clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) being a dead rubber.
English all-rounder Benny Howell did not get a single chance in IPL 2022. Howell went back to England and showed the PBKS team management why they made a mistake by not picking him in the side. Batting at no. 7, he hammered 46 runs from 20 deliveries at a strike rate of 230. His quickfire knock for Gloucestershire included three fours and as many sixes.
The France-born T20 specialist was picked by PBKS for his base price of Rs 40 lakh in IPL 2022 mega auction. He could have played the role Odean Smith was assigned in the Mayank Agarwal-led side. The Punjab franchise lacked a big-hitter lower down the order in their side as well after Smith failed to perform consistently.
The 33-year-old’s 46-run knock ended in vain as Gloucestershire failed to chase down a mammoth target of 230 against Middlesex.
Earlier, Howell performed well with the ball as well while his most of his teammates went for big runs. He conceded 33 runs and picked up a wicket. Howell's only wicket of the game was of Middlesex top-order batter Joe Cracknell.
A product of Hampshire club, Howell top-scored in Gloucestershire's failed run chase. They managed to post 199/9 at Radlett Cricket Club.
Earlier, Middlesex skipper Stevie Eskinazi scored a quickfire 87 off just 37 deliveries. Eskinazi's knock included 13 fours and two sixes.
England's white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan too contributed with a 24-ball 41 as Gloucestershire bowlers including Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah leaked boundaries. Shah turned out to be most expensive as he leaked 50 runs from four overs despite taking two wickets including that of Eskinazi.
