Brilliant Bailey Shines In D/L Defeat

George Bailey hit a magnificent 145* but his innings proved to be in vain as Hampshire suffered a 66-run One-Day Cup defeat against Surrey at The Oval.

The century was Bailey's first for Hampshire with the right-hander striking the ball superbly throughout, after his side had earlier been reduced to 89-7.

Bailey, alongside a courageous knock from Kyle Abbott (56), led the Hampshire recovery - the duo sharing 152 together to reach a record List A eighth-wicket partnership along the way -  to post 271-8 in the first-innings.

An early wicket for Abbott (1-34) then followed but a composed innings from Kumar Sangakkara (124*) saw the hosts move close to their target, before rain confirmed a D/L victory for his side with no further play possible.

Batting first, Hampshire stumbled early on with Sam Curran (2-55) and Tom Curran (1-59) claiming three wickets between them inside the opening eight overs.

Further wickets fell shortly after, Ravi Rampaul (4-61) doing the damage this time with three quick wickets of his own to see Hampshire struggling, having lost seven wickets with less than 100 on the scoreboard.

However, Bailey was still unbeaten at the crease, and he and Kyle Abbott battled hard to help lead a recovery.

The duo first steered Hampshire beyond 100 before advancing the total past 150 with 15 overs still remaining in the innings, Bailey reaching his second half-century of the competition in that time.

A 100-run partnership between the pair moved the total on further, and when Bailey reached his first century for the club soon after, Hampshire's hopes of posting an imposing total increased.

The scoring rate then began to grow nicely as the visitors edged past 200 with eight overs still remaining. Abbott was the next man to raise his bat, the 30-year-old recording his first career List A half-century, before hitting out with just an over to go. 

But by that point, Hampshire had already moved towards 250, and when Bailey struck 23 from the final over of the innings, he ensured Hampshire retained all the momentum heading into the second half of the contest.

Hampshire's bowling effort began brightly too as Abbott removed the dangerous Jason Roy (1) cheaply in the opening powerplay.

Mark Stoneman (53) and Sangakkara prevented further loss in the opening powerplay however, both batsman reaching their fifties with Surrey 106-1.

Fidel Edwards (1-80) removed the former courtesy of a flashing outside edge through to McManus, but Sangakkara continued to accumulate at a positive rate.

He was well supported by Rory Burns (39), but the left-hander was the batsman to the most damage and he reached his well-constructed hundred with the home-side requiring just 65 runs.

Both batsman continued to tick things over, and when a rain shower crept in with 12 overs remaining, the result was confirmed with Surrey picking up the D/L win.