Hampshire Secure Last-Ball Victory Over Rivals Sussex
Jul 12 2013
Hampshire Royals v Sussex Sharks
Friends Life T20 (South Group)
Friday 12th July (19:00 start)
The Ageas BowL
Summary: Hampshire Royals beat Sussex Sharks by four wickets
Sussex: 118-7
Hampshire: 122-6
Scorecard
Concurrent Table
Neil McKenzie hit a four off the last ball to help the Hampshire Royals secure a four-wicket victory over the Sussex Sharks at The Ageas Bowl – their second Friends Life T20 victory over their southern rivals in a week.
Royals captain Dimitri Mascarenhas (2-19) was the pick the bowlers before an outstanding catch from Jimmy Adams helped restrict Sussex to 118-7 off their 20 overs.
It was Michael Carberry (41) and James Vince (22) who led Hampshire on their way and despite a late fightback from Sussex, the home side grabbed the win with the Royals needing one run off the last ball.
In last week’s fixture between the two sides it was Sussex who got themselves off to a commanding start to the match. But it was the Royals who got off to a flier this time around with Mascarenhas and Sohail Tanvir (2-24) picking up early wickets to leave the visitors 20-3.
And despite a 41-run partnership from Chris Nash (40) and Scott Styris (19), the Sharks struggled to gain a lot of momentum with wickets falling at regular intervals. And when Chris Wood (1-26) and Danny Briggs (1-17) picked up their first dismissals, Hampshire looked very much in the ascendancy with Sussex 96-6 in the 17th over.
However, there was still enough time for Adams to receive the biggest cheer of the evening after a magnificent one-handed catch at short extra-cover to dismiss Ben Brown (1). And Hampshire didn’t let up as Sussex were eventually restricted to 118-7 off their 20 overs.
And Sussex had made a competitive start to defending their modest total with Chris Jordan in particular causing the Royals openers a few problems. However, it was the last over of the powerplay which really stamped home Hampshire’s authority.
Consecutive boundaries from both Carberry and Vince helped the Royals hit 24 off one Dwayne Smith over to move the required run-rate to below five an hour on 57-0. However, Sussex did hit back when Nash and Chris Liddle (2-16) picked up quick wickets to leave Hampshire 84-3.
And suddenly, after looking so comfortable throughout the run-chase, Hampshire were put under considerable pressure thanks to decent spells from Liddle and Michael Yardy (2-20). And needing six off the last over soon became one off the last ball. Cue Hampshire's chief finisher - Neil McKenzie. The South-African hit a four off the last ball to secure the win much to the delight of the bolster Ageas Bowl crowd.
Words: Jamie Hopkins
Coverage:
Live text commentary will be available via the Hampshire Cricket Twitter and Facebook pages. A feed to these will also be available on this page.
There will be ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Radio Solent online at bbc.co.uk and via the Tune-In radio app (search for BBC Live Event number 18). The Hospital Broadcasting Association will also be providing live online ball-by-ball commentary. Links for this can be accessed via the ageasbowl.com website under “Cricket” then “Live Match Coverage”.
Additional Information:
In the case of rain, please keep checking the Ageas Bowl Match-Day Information Line (02380 475 662).
As well as the fantastic match in prospect on the pitch, there will be plenty of action off the pitch.
The off-field headline attraction is the “Best Seat in the House” which features a hot-tub, range of garden furniture to relax in and refreshment for eight lucky winners. In addition, there will be the return of fairground attractions around the ground with inflatable football, golf and bungee activities as well as a ‘Zooters T20 Skills Challenge’ which will see girls from seven clubs in the county testing their T20 skills before the match starts.
Friday’s match will also see ‘The Beat around the Bowl’ which will feature the Barbados Tourist Authority travel fair and musical performances from The Crestwood College Steel Band and the Wildern School band.And the evening’s entertainment even extends past the cricket as local legend Ivan J will be treating the crowd to his Reggae & Caribbean flavour tunes once the match has concluded.
Weather Forecast:
Sunny and warm weather is forecast
Tickets:
Tickets are on sale now for all Hampshire’s Friends Life t20 fixtures in 2013. To buy them online please visit the Hampshire Cricket tickets website, or over the phone on 0844 847 1863 (24 hours a day). You can also buy them in person at The Ageas Bowl ticket office during normal office hours.
Alternately, group tickets are a great way to bring your friends, team-mates or work colleagues for an evening or afternoon of great fun and excitement at the cricket. Groups of 10 or more can benefit from great discounts as well as perks such as meeting a player, having a photo at the ground and VIP treatment. Find out more at here.