Match Centre

CLOSE OF PLAY – DAY THREE

Match Result – Hampshire win by 9 wickets

After closing on 73-5 the previous day, Middlesex would have thought it an uphill challenge to prevent an innings defeat against Hampshire, who had an overnight lead of 185.

It seemed all the less likely to force Hampshire to bat again once the 6^th wicket fell on 109, with Shukla falling victim to Woods.

However, White & Carter weathered the storm at least for a while, with the pair combining to build a partnership of 81 before the White eventually went for a well batted 75 runs.

Once 2 further wickets fell for just 1 run with the score at 222-9, it seemed that Hampshire would not need to bat again, with the hosts still needing 36 runs to level the scores.

Ethan Bamber and Blake Cullen batted superbly as a last stand, adding another 76 runs to Middlesex’s total, including a quick 40 for Bamber batting at number 11.

Once Bamber was bowled LBW to Scriven, Middlesex had reached 298 all out and had managed to create a lead of 40 runs, meaning Hampshire would need to bat again.

Hampshire made light work of the 40 run deficit however, and were able to rattle off the runs quickly, only losing one wicket in the process.

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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY

Hampshire - 487 all out

Middlesex - 73-5

Hampshire continued to dominate day two of the match at Radlett, having started the day with a lead of 7 runs with 7 wickets remaining.

In the morning session of the second day, Holland was the first victim, falling for an impressive 122 off the bowling of Fuller.

Hampshire struggled to form partnerships for the next few hours, with Middlesex taking a handful of wickets in the morning to reduce the visitors to 330-7.

However, a valuable partnership did eventually form, with Woods and Hart putting on a further 125 runs to put any chance of a victory seemingly beyond the hosts.

Middlesex were able to eventually bowl Hampshire out for 487, with long enough left in the day for Hampshire to attempt to take some valuable wickets going into the final day.

Thilan Walallawita finished the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-97, with Cullen, Sowter and Andersson all taking 2 each.

Tom Lace and Jack Davies resisted well to begin with, with the pair putting on 55 runs as Middlesex edged towards the final day without loss.

However, once Davies fell having scored 20, Hampshire capitalised, and were able to take 4 more quick wickets to give them full control with a day of the match left.

Middlesex closed on 73-5, with Hampshire leading the match by 185 runs.

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DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY

Middlesex 229 all out

Hampshire 236-3

After Hampshire won the toss, Middlesex were put into bat by the visiting side at Radlett Cricket Club. Hampshire’s decision proved to be a fruitful one, as they were able to take two early wickets to take the advantage in the morning session.

Tom Lace and Josh De Caires provided Middlesex with their largest partnership of the day, putting on 71 before Lace fell for 45, with the score at 99-3.

Another 3 wickets fell in the next 12 overs, leaving Hampshire firmly in control with the score at 154-6.

Another strong partnership from Middlesex prevented Hampshire from capitalizing in the early afternoon, with Fuller and Carter combining to take the score past 200.

However, the final 4 wickets then fell for just 5 runs, meaning Middlesex’s innings finished on 229 all out on day one.

Hampshire began their innings on the attack. Runs came quickly in the early overs, and despite Organ being trapped LBW to Cullen the visitors were able to maintain a steady rate of 6 an over in the early stages.

Holland and Ervine combined to add another 100 to Hampshire score before Ervine departed for 61.

However, the visitors continued to press into the final overs of the day, reaching an impressive 236-3 at the close of play on day one, with a lead of 7.