During Lancashire's seven-wicket win over Essex in the quarter-finals of the T20 Blast, cricket fans were left delighted as Phil Salt and Michael Pepper got each other out.
The two aptly-named cricketers met in a tasty tie at Old Trafford after England decided to make Salt available to play for Lancashire. Salt was one of five Lancashire players named in England's squad for the ongoing T20I series against India, but Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Matt Parkinson and Richard Gleeson were not permitted to feature in the clash.
With Essex batting first, Pepper top scored for the visitors with 36 off 28 balls, before getting stumped by Salt when attempting to advance down the pitch and hit spinner Tom Hartley to the boundary.
In Lancashire's innings, Salt made 27 off 21 balls before getting caught on the boundary thanks to some excellent work by Pepper. After looking to sweep leg-spinner Matt Critchley for six, Salt was caught in the deep by Pepper.
However, his momentum looked set to carry him over the boundary and he quickly threw the ball to teammate Ben Allison, who claimed the catch that sent Salt on his way. And fans had a field day on social media, with one joking: "Great game of T20 cricket last night. To add spice to the proceedings Salt of @lancscricket dismissed Pepper of @EssexCricket then Pepper caught Salt. Two seasoned players not exactly grinding out the runs."
A second wrote: "Salt and Pepper getting each other out in the same cricket match is exactly why we watch this great sport." A third added: "Salt stumping Pepper, then Pepper taking a worldie on the boundary to get rid of Salt. Satisfying cricket #T20Blast"
Another joked: "Pepper stumped by Salt. Not been this excited since Graham Onions and Phil Mustard combined for Durham."
Lancashire ultimately won the match thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 76 from Steven Croft and a half-century from captain Dane Vilas, chasing down a target of 162 in just 15.4 overs to book their place at Finals day. They are set to face local rivals Yorkshire in the semi-finals, with a spot in the final later that same day on the line.
"We've had a lot of thrilling games here, but credit to the lads - it was a clinical performance," Croft said. "To have two wins going into Finals Day is the sort of momentum we want."
