Hampshire v Kent Twenty20 Cup 22nd June

Bruce calls Jaarsveld (Photo jasonpix.co.uk)

Drama as Hampshire held to a tie Skipper Dimi makes Man of the Match on the day he's called up by England!

DRAMA AS HAMPSHIRE ARE HELD TO A TIE

Hampshire were involved in a dramatic tie with Kent in Friday night's Twenty20 Cup match under The Rose Bowl floodlights that pulled in a capacity crowd of just under 10,000.

With the final ball to be bowled, Hampshire were poised for victory on 153-6 needing one more run. But amid tremendous tension Greg Lamb fell to a superb sprawling catch at third-man.

Dimi Mascarenhas, captaining Hampshire for the first time on the day he was finally called up by England, took 3-17 as Kent totalled 153-6 off their 20 overs after choosing to bat first.

Skipper Rob Key top-scored with 59 before Kent launched a late onslaught, slamming 63 runs off the last four overs. South African Ryan McLaren finished with an unbeaten 46 off just 19 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.

In reply, Hampshire were struggling at 20-3 and 55-4--new Australian signing Adam Voges was out for 2--before Chris Benham, who made 45, and Mascarenhas (31) shared a fifth-wicket stand of 53.

At 111-6, 43 runs were still needed off four overs for victory before Nic Pothas (23 not out) and Lamb (16) played some inspired shots to take Hampshire to the verge of victory. The target then became 10 runs off the last over, but that final twist left Hampshire to settle for their second tie at The Rose Bowl this season.

KENT 153-6 (20 overs): Key 59, McLaren 46 not out, Mascarenhas 3-17. HAMPSHIRE 153-7 (20 overs): Benham 45, Mascarenhas 31.

Match tied.

* Hampshire's next Twenty20 Cup fixture is against Surrey at The Oval on Sunday. It will be Mascarenhas' last appearance before joining England's one-day squad to face the West Indies.