Match Centre

DAY FOUR - CLOSE OF PLAY

MATCH ABANDONED

Sadly, inclement weather overnight and throughout day four in Southampton caused the match to be abandoned on the final day, without a ball being bowled.

DAY THREE – CLOSE OF PLAY

Middlesex 482/5 dec

Hampshire 102/2

SCORECARD

Middlesex started day three on 168/2, but were without John Simpson, who was withdrawn overnight, after hitting an unbeaten 85 on day two.

Sam Robson replaced him at the crease, and alongside Martin Andersson Middlesex enjoyed a dominant day with the bat.

The pair cruised past their 100 partnership, with Robson batting particularly aggressively.

Both reached half centuries, and Robson was unfortunate not to celebrate his ton- after being dismissed for 95, breaking the 173 run partnership.

Andersson however was able to reach the milestone, and alongside Ollie Rayner Middlesex were able to surpass Hampshire’s total with the bat.

Andersson reached a spectacular 154 not out before Middlesex declared on 482/5, with Rayner having scored 56 before being caught and bowled by Currie.

Hampshire faced 30 overs before the close of play, losing 2 wickets for 102 runs, and building a lead of 43 runs going in to day four. Bamber and Cullen obtained one wicket apiece for the visitors.

DAY TWO– CLOSE OF PLAY

Hampshire 423 all out

Middlesex 168/2

After taking an early wicket on day two, Middlesex would have been hopeful of finishing off the Hampshire tail cheaply and getting stuck in to bat in Southampton.

However, a glorious 220 run partnership frustrated the visitors and built Hampshire a formidable total.

Hart & Abbott combined for the majority of the day, and despite both eventually being claimed by Sam Robson’s bowling, both went on to achieve big totals.

Hart fell just 1 short of his century, but Abbott was able to pass this milestone in style, eventually hitting 147 from just 212 ball before departing.

Hampshire were bowled out for 423, which would have been disappointing to a Middlesex attack who had at one point had their opposition on the ropes at 176/8.

Middlesex opened the batting with John Simpson and Max Holden, and the pair went to work in chasing down Hampshire’s total.

Holden hit a quickfire 43 from 50 deliveries before falling victim to Searle, but Simpson pressed on past 50 and finished the day 85 not out.

Andersson was the man who stood with him at the close of play, with Lace the only other Middlesex batsman to depart on day two.

DAY ONE – CLOSE OF PLAY

Hampshire 175/7

After the start was delayed due to a wet outfield, the match finally got underway at 1.40pm with Middlesex winning the toss and deciding to field first.

It took 15 overs before the first breakthrough however, with Cullen claiming Adams for 24 with the score at 43/1.

Hampshire continued to progress well, and sailed past 100 losing only 1 further wicket, that being of Organ who was bowled by Ollie Rayner.

However, once Soames fell in the 53^rd over for a hard fought 60 runs thanks to Steven Finn, Middlesex took full advantage.

Finn claimed another in the same over, and a further wicket from Andersson two overs later left Hampshire struggling on 139/5.

This slowed Hampshire’s run rate down, and only another 20 runs were scored before the next wicket fell 13 overs later.

Before the close of play, Middlesex found time to take their 7^th of the day, to leave Hampshire on 175/7 at the close of play, with Steven Finn and Ollie Rayner taking two wickets apiece as they both prepare for potential involvement in the County Championship on Sunday.