Hampshire Set to Start NatWest T20 Blast Campaign 

Hampshire kick off their Natwest T20 Blast campaign away at Middlesex, as they start their quest to reach a record seventh consecutive Finals Day.  

Hampshire Squad:

Shahid Afridi & Darren Sammy are two of the NatWest T20 Blast’s biggest acquisitions for 2016 and arrived at Hampshire this week. However, Sammy will not feature at Uxbridge because of registration regulations with Hampshire needing Ryan McLaren for the Specsavers County Championship match against Middlesex, starting on Sunday.

Sammy will be in the squad for Hampshire’s first home T20 Blast match of the season against Kent Spitfires on Thursday 2 June.

All-rounder Sean Ervine will captain Hampshire at Uxbridge, having led the team to 57-run victory over Dorset, after being appointed as limited-overs skipper in place of James Vince, who is with the England Test squad.

The Opposition:

Captain David Malan can be dangerous with the bat, and proved his potency in the short format by scoring 115* against Sussex in May 2015. Although, the home side will be without the likes of Brendon McCullum, Eoin Morgan and Mitchell McClenaghan, who are yet to arrive back from the IPL.

Recent Form:

Hampshire reached the semi-finals of the Natwest T20 Blast in 2015 and lost to the eventual winners, Lancashire, whilst Middlesex finished bottom of the Southern Division.

When the sides met twice in June last season, Hampshire were victorious on both occasions, Michael Carberry helping secure an 18-run win at the The Ageas Bowl and a 19-run victory at Lord’s by hitting 72 and 57 respectively.  

Hampshire have a strong record at Uxbridge, having beaten Middlesex on their last three visits there, and a 57-run victory over Dorset coming into this one has done their confidence no harm.

Did You Know?

• Michael Carberry scored 129 runs in two NatWest T20 Blast meetings with Middlesex in June 2015, hitting 57 off 46 balls at the The Ageas Bowl and 72 off 44 at Lord's.  
• Hampshire haven’t lost away at Middlesex since June 2007 in T20 competitions.

Full Hampshire Squad:

Coverage:

Live text commentary will be available via the Hampshire Cricket Twitter and Facebook pages 

There will be ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Radio Solent online at bbc.co.uk  

Tickets:

Tickets are still available to buy on the gate for this match from gates opening and cost £20 for adults, £10 for over 65s and £5 for under 16s.

Gates open at 4pm & the match is due to start at 5.30pm.

Parking will be available in the field adjacent to the ground, and can be accessed via Park Road. Parking costs £3 for Middlesex members and £5 for non-members (per vehicle).

Words: Sam Fletcher