DAY THREE REPORT
WASHED OUT - MATCH ABANDONED!
RESULT - MATCH DRAWN
Middlesex and Hampshire were forced to settle for a draw at the Ageas Bowl after heavy rain fell on the final day and the umpires were left with no option but to abandon the game.
Middlesex would be the happier of the two sides, with Hampshire left frustrated by the weather, with the incessant rain ruling out the advantage they had built up over the previous two day's play.
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DAY TWO
HAMPSHIRE 177 a/o & 302/8
MIDDLESEX 82 a/o
Resuming on 4/2 and with Compton and White at the crease, Middlesex's struggles deepened as Compton was trapped lbw by Salisbury for 3 shortly after the restart. Unfortunately this was a sign of things to come, as regular wickets formed a consistent pattern in the innings as the visitors were quickly reduced to 34/7 after just 15.5 overs. Although runs were added further down the innings, with Andersson hitting an unbeaten 25, it wasn't enough as Middlesex were bowled out for 82 runs.
In response with Adams and Hays at the crease, Hampshire got off to a troubling start as the latter was clean bowled by Harris with just 23 runs on the scoreboard. The same bowler was it again shortly after, trapping new man Hollands lbw for 18. A 79 run partnership between Organ and Adams helped to steady the Hampshire innings, before the former was caught by Lace off the bowling of Harris, who claimed his third wicket of the day, as the hosts went into tea on 153/3. After the interval, Hampshire picked up where they left off, keeping the scoreboard ticking, although Middlesex were also able to take wickets more regularly. With the hosts eventually reduced to 250/7 Bamber picked up the last wicket of the day as he bowled out Taylor for 48.
Hampshire ended the day on 302/8 going into the final days play, leading Middlesex by 397 runs.
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DAY ONE
HAMPSHIRE 177 a/o
MIDDLESEX 4/2
After winning the toss and electing to field at the Ageas Bowl, Middlesex got off to a flyer as Smith was caught by Robson off the bowling of Podmore for 10. The same bowler was at it again shortly after, this time dismissing Holland with Rayner taking the catch and Hampshire struggling on 33/2. With Organ and Adams at the crease the pair put on a solid partnership of 60 runs to help steady the innings, with Hampshire on 93/2. However, both batsmen were soon dismissed in quick succession with just one more run added to the scoreboard. Regular wickets continued to fall for the hosts as a brilliant spell of bowling helped reduce Hampshire to 132/8. A useful 45 run partnership between Dickinson and Salisbury helped to keep the scoreboard ticking, before the pair were dismissed by Walallawita and Harris respectively, as the hosts were bowled out for 177.
In response the visitors got off to the worse possible start as Lace was dismissed with the first ball of the innings, caught by Adams off the bowling of Wheal. Things didn't get better for Middlesex in the next over as the man replacing him at the crease, Podmore, was caught by Adams off the bowling of Salisbury for 1.
Middlesex ended the day on 4/2, with Compton and White at the crease, looking to fair much better going into Day Two at the Ageas Bowl.
