Vince Dazzles As Hampshire Race To Victory Against Gloucestershire

James Vince struck an phenomenal 89* to guide Hampshire to a comfortable seven-wicket 50-over win over Gloucestershire at the The Ageas Bowl.

The Hampshire skipper looked in superb form on his way to a third half-century in four games, whilst Tom Alsop (53) also recording a well-made fifty.

Liam Dawson (3-30) and Mason Crane (3-57) had earlier starred with the ball, whilst Gareth Berg (2-41) and Kyle Abbott (2-46) also claimed two scalps apiece as the home-side restricted Gloucestershire to 237 in their first-innings.

The Hampshire top-order then picked apart the bowling attack, Vince playing the starring role as he saw Hampshire safely to the win.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Gloucestershire made a solid start - despite three maidens in the first three of Reece Topley's overs - Michael Klinger (17) the sole wicket to fall in the opening 17 overs.

The visitors had reached 89-1 before the second wicket fell with Dawson removing Chris Dent (36) who failed with an attempted reverse-sweep to pick out Berg at short third-man.

That wicket led to a mini-collapse as three further wickets fell for the addition of just 46 runs at the hands of Dawson and Crane.

Hampshire continued to squeeze during the middle-overs and despite a half-century from Jack Taylor (63), who tried to lead the Gloucestershire fightback, the away-side struggled to acculate outside of the powerplays.

The right-hander did share a 70-run partnership with Benny Howell (38*) to see the away-side to 205-5 with hopes of moving beyond 250, but the loss of three wickets in just four balls courtesy of Crane and Berg  shortly after, ensured Gloucestershire finished their innings with a below-par total on the board.

The hosts began their chase impressively, openers Jimmy Adams (36) and Alsop looking comfortable in the early overs.

Despite the loss of the former courtesy of some sharp fielding with Hampshire 67-1, Alsop continued to tick things along and reached his half-century soon after steering his side beyond 100.

The left-hander will have been eyeing his second century of the competition after looking in good touch, but he feathered behind to Mustard off the bowling of Chris Liddle (1-18).

The loss of Alsop brought George Bailey (37) to the crease to join Vince, and the duo accumulated nicely with boundaries flowing throughout the middle-overs.

Both batsman were striking the ball nicely and the pair quickly put on 82 for the third wicket to see the total move towards 200.

Bailey was unlucky to top-edge to mid-wicket when searching for another crunching leg-side boundary, but the arrival of Dawson (21*) alongside Vince ensured Hampshire romped to victory without further loss.