Match Centre

HAMPSHIRE HAWKS V MIDDLESEX | MATCH REPORT

Match report provided by the ECB Reporters Network.

James Fuller took two for 11 in vain as rain caused Hampshire Hawks’ Vitality Blast clash with Middlesex to be abandoned.

Fast bowler Fuller was miserly in his bowling, with John Turner also picking up two wickets as Hawks appeared on course to roll Middlesex over for around 120.

But two bursts of heavy rain curtailed their ambitions with the points shared at Utilita Bowl.

Middlesex were stuck in and when Steve Eskinazi caressed the first ball through the covers it felt like a big total was in the offing.

But things didn’t pan out like that for the visitors as they lost wickets with severe regularity without the scoreboard markedly increasing.

Eskinazi saw his off stump pinned back trying to reverse lap Chris Wood and Martin Andersson – after a massive six over the leg side – edged a ball with extra juice from Michael Neser behind.

Max Holden out in 29 with Jacob Cracknell, before he edged behind, and 42 with Ryan Higgins to give Middlesex a base to build from. But the innings caved in from 83 for three to 111 for eight.

Former Middlesex quick James Fuller showed off ultra-accuracy with two for 11 in the best part of three overs, which saw the back of Higgins and Josh de Caires.

Liam Dawson and Benny Howell were equally direct in their bowling, and picked up the wickets of Jacob Davies and Holden respectively.

But just as the bottom appeared to have fallen out of Middlesex’s batting, and they looked set to be bowled out within 20 overs, the rain saved them.

A filthy cloud deposited a monsoon with Middlesex on 113 for eight after 16.5 overs at 20:08 BST.

It cleared enough to give a 21:00 BST restart but with two overs a side lost but just as the main hover cover was started up, rain came back and this time it was terminal. The game officially called off at 21:15 BST.