Kent Openers Star In Southampton
Hampshire’s only hope of any final, or silverware for that matter, rest in this competition.
Kent were the visitors to the South Coast, and their starting XI boasted two former Hampshire pacers, Matt Coles and David Griffiths.
Hampshire were put into bat by the visitors and after a quick start, Alsop (17) and Smith (20) both fell in quick succession. Alsop averages 88 in this competition this year but was unable to capitalise and was out caught behind, although he seemed to doubt the decision.
Another in-form batsmen, Wheater, came in next, and he followed his 2016 average literally as he was went for 63.
Before this, Ervine came and went for 21. Then disappointingly for Hampshire, Dawson (20) and Wheater, got out in the same over in the same fashion to Matt Cole’s short deliveries, where they both gave deep square leg catching practice.
McManus (6), got beaten for pace by Coles and at 160-6 Hampshire really needed a partnership to have something to bowl at. They did add 51 more before Berg (23) was Coles’ latest victim.
The tail did not wag with Andrew (4) and Crane (0) not hanging around very long. Hampshire were all done at 229 with 2 overs remaining and would need something special to claim the two points up for grabs. Coles went all-out on his previous county and recorded figures of 6-56. What a shame we didn’t keep him and his fantastic all round cricketing ability.
Kent made the result extremely clear just with their opening partnership. Fresh from his England Lions success, Bell-Drummond (91) and Denly (105), put on 203, and in the space of 37 overs, the game was practically over.
Somehow, to the members’ amusement, Kent collapsed to 216-5 with Northeast (1), Billings (5) and Stevens (4) all getting out in soft manners. Brad Wheal again impressed here, with great pace and lines allowing him to be the bowling star once more with 4-38. The fun was over for the crowd though as Blake (13*) and Gidman (1*), guided Kent home and sent them jumping to third in the group. Hampshire play Sussex away today, and could obtain points to still give them knock out contention.