Summary:
Hampshire: 167-5 (20 overs)
Dorset: 100-6 (17 overs)
Hampshire preparations for the upcoming NatWest T20 Blast season started in winning fashion after a comfortable D/L victory over Dorset at Dean Park.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat but it was Dorset who made the better start with both Hants openers falling within the first four overs. Visiting skipper James Vince (12) fell to Hampshire seamer Tom Barber, who was featuring for Dorset in this match.
However, it was an excellent knock of 76 from Jimmy Adams which put Hants in control of the match. The Club’s leading T20 runs-scorer in 2014 hit 7 fours and 3 sixes during his 59-ball stay at the crease.
Adams was well-supported by a useful innings from Sean Ervine (25) and an unbeaten 20 from 10 balls from Will Smith as Hampshire reached 167-5 from their 20 overs.
After much success in the same role last season, off-spinner Smith (2-18) opened the bowling for Hampshire and he led from the front as Dorset lost wickets at regular intervals during their reply.
Left-handed batsman Masoor Khan was Dorset’s most impressive batsman hitting 36 off 38 balls, but it was a top bowling performance from Hampshire which restricted the home side.
Danny Briggs, the Club’s leading wicket-taker in the NatWest T20 Blast last year, stood out with the ball finishing with promising figures of 3-16 from his four overs whilst Chris Wood (1-16) picked up one wicket from his two overs in the match.
Debutants Yasir Arafat and Fidel Edwards finished with figures of 0-23 and 0-24 from their three and four overs respectively.
Unfortunately, the rain cut short the match as Dorset finished on 100-6 from their 17 overs handing the victory to Hampshire via the duckworth-lewis method.
Hampshire look likely to field a strong side in their Second XI T20 double-header against Sussex tomorrow (Tuesday 5 May) at Hove as they continue their preparations for the 2015 NatWest T20 Blast.
Hampshire’s NatWest T20 Blast campaign kicks off against the Essex Eagles at the The Ageas Bowl on Friday 15 May.
Tickets for this match are available to purchase via the The Ageas Bowl’s online ticketing website, over the phone on 0844 847 1863, or in person at the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing and Membership Office via normal working hours.
