Second XI Twenty20
Venue: Richmond CC
Match One Result – Middlesex win by 6 wickets
Middlesex decided to put the visiting Hampshire side into bat first at Old Deer Park in Richmond, and were rewarded by taking two early wickets, thanks to Blake Cullen.
However, once Ervine reached the crease, he pushed Hampshire forward in an aggressive manor- despite wickets continuing to fall around him.
Ervine managed to remain unbeaten throughout the innings, and managed to pass his century, before eventually reaching 115 not out by the close.
Hampshire, largely due to Ervine’s masterful display, managed to reach 176-6 from their 20 overs.
Middlesex openers Tom Lace and Joe Cracknell set the pace superbly for the hosts. The pair were able to put on an opening partnership of 89 before Cracknell went for 55.
Tom Lace continued on before eventually going for 43, and Stephen Eskinazi also put Hampshire bowlers to the sword- adding 47 himself.
These contributions meant that victory was within sight, with Sowter & Scott getting Middlesex over the line with 2 balls to spare.
Match Two Result – Middlesex won by 6 wickets
Fresh from victory in the opening match of the day, Middlesex decided to put the visitors back into bat first again.
Ervine did not enjoy the same success as in the first game, and once he departed in the 5th over, the score was already looking promising for Middlesex, at 25-2.
Wickets continued to fall regularly, with no single batsman able to establish themselves fully for Hampshire.
Hollman and Walallawita were both able to take 3 wickets apiece, helping to reduce the Hampshire total to 146-9 by the end of the 20 overs.
Middlesex also lost early wickets in response, and with the score at 19-2 in the 3rd over, Hampshire had their tails up.
However, good knocks from Tom Lace, Nathan Sowter, and Stephen Eskinazi, who was able to reach an unbeaten 55, helped Middlesex cross the line with relative ease.
The target for reached with 9 balls to spare, with Middlesex obtaining back to back 6 wicket victories over Hampshire on the day.
