Hampshire Fall Short In Search Of Second One-Day Cup Win

Hampshire fell short of securing a second consecutive win in this year's Royal London One-Day Cup as Essex claimed victory by 25-runs in the 50-over encounter at Chelmsford.

James Vince (68) and George Bailey (63) both impressed with the bat in Hampshire's chasing effort after Essex had earlier struck 304-7 in the first innings.

However, good bowling in the latter stages ensured the visitors were unable to reach the chasing target in the allotted overs, totalling 279 in their second-innings effort.

After electing to bowl first, Hampshire got off to a flyer courtesy of Reece Topley (1-59) who claimed a wicket with just the third ball of the game against his former side.

A 103-run partnership between former England captain, Alastair Cook (39) and Tom Westley (93) led the hosts' recovery and both batsman looked in good touch, before Liam Dawson (2-40) grabbed the important wicket of Cook to deny him a half-century.

Westley had no such trouble though and reached his fifty in fine style to see Essex through to 163-2.

The momentum shifted though, Kyle Abbott (1-58) removing Varun Chopra (26) before Dawson dismissed Westley just four balls later, George Bailey taking an incredible one-handed catch diving to his left to remove the danger-man.

Two more wickets fell in quick succession, this time at the hands of Mason Crane and a sharp piece of fielding from Gareth Berg and Essex looked to be in trouble at 193-6.

But a quick-fire knock from Asher Zaidi (72) saw Essex seize back the momentum, and despite Sean Ervine (1-17) dismissal of Adam Wheater (30), the home-side cantered along to move beyond 300 in their innings.

Hampshire's reply began in less than ideal fashion, Michael Carberry unlucky to be bowled off an inside edge in the opening over.

Vince & Tom Alsop (12) came together and took the total to 36-1 before the latter departed to see Hampshire in early trouble.

Despite the loss of two wickets inside the opening powerplay, Hampshire recovered well thanks to the impressive Vince and Bailey.

The duo shared a 91-run stand to help see their side reach 127-2, Vince the first to his half-century - his second in as many appearances.

A sharp caught and bowled effort brought an end to Vince's effort, but Bailey continued to accumulate nicely and the right-hander reached his fifty in comfortable fashion shortly after.

Hampshire looked to be in a promising position heading into the last third of the innings, but two wickets in two balls during the 32nd over saw Hampshire suffer.

Dawson (27) was the first man to go, unlucky to be adjudged short of his ground and given run-out, before Bailey followed the very next ball as he edged Neil Wagner (4-41) behind.

A 60-run partnership between Lewis McManus (33) and Ervine (31) gave the away-side hope of a tight finish, but good bowling during the death overs ensured Hampshire finished short in their pursuit of their 305-run target.