Hawks suffer last over loss against stubborn Sharks
By Connor Steel
HAMPSHIRE HAWKS sustained another massive dent to their Vitality Blast quarter final ambitions they fell to a second successive defeat in the T20 competition on Friday evening; eventually slipping to a seven run loss against ‘local rivals’ Sussex Sharks following this tight and enjoyable encounter that was settled during the final over at a warm Utilita Bowl.
The Hawks elected to bowl first and made a fast start as Michael Neser removed Harrison Ward (1) within eleven balls with a second wicket coming in their fourth over; Neser getting Daniel Hughes (13) to leave Sussex stuck on 30-2. This was then 51-3 to end the powerplay as Neser picked up his third victim in John Simpson (2) when a yorker was caught.
A steady partnership between Fynn Hudson-Prentice (3) and James Coles collaped within a period of four balls to start the tenth over; the former removed by Brad Wheal before Coles was caught for 39 as he floated Liam Dawson’s ball to point. But Tom Alsop and Danny Lamb lifted the visitors beyond a century and moved to 128-5 during the ‘middle spell’.
Their fifty-seven run partnership included two sixes and multiple boundaries before it soon ended; Chris Wood catching Lamb (28) well off his own bowling. Alsop was their seventh wicket to depart as he was out from James Fuller and Ollie Robinson was finally run out in the final over for eight but Nathan McAndrew hit three sixes to help the Sharks to 184-8.
Hampshire struggled in response to this ‘explosive’ conclusion of Sussex’s innings as they laboured to 16-0 in their first three overs; both openers seeming to struggle against the accurate bowling and limited field space. Ben McDermott (8) was soon caught by Tymal Mills and Fletcha Middleton (16) followed thirteen balls later to finish the powerplay on 38-2.
But James Vince continued to find some gaps and showed glimpses of his peak with a glorious cover drive; the captain bringing up his half century off 35 balls. He was superbly supported by Joe Weatherley as the experienced duo did well to survive the middle spell with relative ease with eighty-eight runs in a ten over period; which included two lofted sixes.
Coles then dismissed Vince (53) by pinging the stump to leave Hampshire on 126-3 after sixteen overs; the new batter Benny Howell swatted two maximums to give them hope in his seventeen unbeaten runs. He sadly faded in the ‘death’ overs however and although Weatherley (68*) did hit two boundaries in the last over; their total was seven shy of a win.
Combined with their weather frustration last week and defeat versus Essex on Thursday, Hampshire sit in sixth position in the South Group after eight matches and four points away from the quarter final places. Attention will now turn to this weekend as they visit Warwickshire at Edgbaston and then return home for a big ‘First Class’ home game versus Kent.
PICTURED BY DAVE VOKES PHOTOGRAPHY: Sussex players celebrate wicket in this brilliant win at the Utilita Bowl.
