Hampshire Prepare For Kent T20 With Victory in Dorset

Dorset:

Masoor Khan, Richard Scott, Tom Jacques, Michael Porter, Luke Webb, Mark Wolstenholme, Max Trueman, Chris Park*+, Bradley Currie, Josh Digby, Jake Lilley 

Hampshire:

Michael Carberry, Jimmy Adams, Adam Wheater+, Sean Ervine*, Liam Dawson, Ryan McLaren, Will Smith, Gareth Andrew, Ryan Stephenson, Tino Best, Mason Crane 

Stand-in limited overs skipper Sean Ervine captained Hampshire to a 57-run victory against neighbours Dorset at New Milton, ahead of the much anticipated Natwest T20 Blast match with Kent at the The Ageas Bowl on 2nd June.

Former skipper Jimmy Adams (43) helped the visiting batsmen to 174 for 8, before the bowlers began terrifically, efficiently reducing the home side to 117 all out.

Will Smith (1-11) crucially claimed the wicket of opening batsman Masoor Khan in the first over of Dorset’s innings, and Tino Best (1-4) dismissed Tom Jacques in an effective over, his only of the match.

Adams opened the batting with his familiar partner Michael Carberry (19), who batted with freedom, hitting two boundaries and smashing the ball for six before edging Mark Wolstenholme’s delivery to wicket-keeper Chris Park.

Adam Wheater (29) then forged a useful partnership of 42 runs with the former Hampshire skipper, taking the visitors to 72-2, as Adams was clean bowled for Dorset’s second wicket.

Captain Sean Ervine (19) returned to the crease after two matches out with a hand injury, and he accumulated runs steadily alongside Wheater, who looked in good touch.

A flurry of Hants wickets fell when Ervine was dismissed at 107-3, as three of his colleagues followed – Wheater, Ryan McLaren (0) and Dawson (8) – to leave the away side on 120-6.

Will Smith (13) and Gareth Andrew (24) produced a rejuvenating partnership of 28 runs, as Hampshire found a second wind, until Smith was caught by substitute fielder R Pack from Mark Wolstenholme (2-33).

Ryan Stephenson finished unbeaten, hitting fourteen off 5 balls to lead Hampshire to 174-8, eventually joined by Tino Best (1*) after Andrew edged to Park from Bradley Currie’s delivery.

Hampshire efficiently removed Dorset’s top order, Smith taking Masoor Khan (1) in the first over, before McLaren (1-6) claimed Richard Scott’s (18) prized wicket and West Indian fast bowler Tino Best immediately made an impact by dismissing Tom Jacques (3) with his second ball.

Luke Webb (30), who batted well after taking a fierce delivery from Best to the wrist, combined usefully with Michael Porter (18) to project Dorset from 3-24 to 56-3 and keep the home side in the contest.

Andrew dismissed Porter and Wolstenholme in quick succession though – Ervine and McLaren taking catches smartly – to place Hants firmly in the driving seat, Dorset on 57-5.

Young spinner Mason Crane further imposed Hampshire’s dominant force, bowling Webb – who had hit three boundaries and a six - then bowling and catching Max Trueman (8), as Dorset staggered towards hundred.

Ryan Stephenson (2-19) then applied the finishing touches to Hampshire’s convincing win, bowling Josh Digby (11) and Jake Lilley (4) in the final over, all out for 117. 

Having overcome the stern test posed by Dorset, Hampshire can be greatly encouraged as they look ahead to their first Natwest T20 Blast match against Middlesex at Uxbridge on 27th May.