Hampshire v Ireland FPTS

Ervine salutes his 50

Ervine and Pietersen set up victory

ERVINE & PIETERSEN SET UP VICTORY

Sean Ervine (67 not out) and Kevin Pietersen (66 not out) steered Hampshire to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in a rain-affected Friends Provident Trophy match at The Rose Bowl on Monday.

They shared a solid unbroken third-wicket stand of 143 as Hampshire reached a revised target, under the Duckworth/Lewis Method, of 175 off 29 overs with four balls to spare.

Ireland, who chose to bat first, totalled 221-6 after slamming 34 runs off the last two of their 48 overs.

Stuart Clark, Hampshire's Australian pace bowler, took 2-36 off 10 overs, but Ireland recovered well after reaching 131-5 off 27 overs.

Peter Gillespie, the last man to fall, top-scored with 55 before Michael Lumb held his second catch at deep mid-wicket. Then Trent Johnston, Ireland's Australian-born captain, hit three sixes in an unbeaten 52 off 36 balls.

Billy Taylor and Dimi Mascarenhas both bowled seven economical overs that cost 18 and 28 overs respectively.

In reply, Hampshire lost openers Lumb and Chris Benham with 35 runs on the board after Nantie Hayward sent down four wides in the first over.

Ervine and Pietersen, both playing their first limited-overs cricket of the season, were then soon into their stride. They paced the run-chase to perfection and were rarely in trouble.

It was Hampshire's second win in their first three Friends Provident Trophy matches of the season.

IRELAND 221-6 (48 overs)::Gillespie 55, Johnston 52 not out, Clark 2-36; HAMPSHIRE 178-2 (28.2 overs): Ervine 67 not out, Pietersen 66 not out), HAMPSHIRE win by eight wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis Method.