T20 Hampshire Match 1
With Owais Shah and Yasser Arrafat hanging around it was obvious the Hampshire were taking the two T20s seriously. They hadn’t though reckoned on Paul Stirling inspiring his troops through both matches.
First up, winning the toss, we decided to bowl, and with tight spells from all our attack we managed to hold the home side to 176, despite a late surge from Shah (59). Stirling and Malan opened the reply before handing over to Eskinazi, all of whom batted with confidence and attacking intentions.
Despite a mid-order collapse, it always looked like we were in control, and quite honestly the fact that we left it till the last over to overhaul their total slightly flattered the home side.
Close: Hants 176–5; Middx 179-6 (19.4)
T20 Hampshire Match 2
Batting first this game, the plan was to capitalise on the initial 6 over power play. This we did in spades, with Stirling and Malan holding the trump hands, piling on 177 for the loss of the 1st wicket.
Stirlo’s 100 off 43 balls was the highlight with no part of the surrounding golf course and net area safe from the onslaught. Malan’s 65 off around 40 balls seemed quite sedentary in comparison.
After posting 232 in the twenty, it was over to the bowlers, who could really attack with such a large total to defend. This they did, eventually skittling the home side out in 17 overs 89 runs short of the target.
Close: Middlesex 232–4; Hants 143
