Mixed Fortunes for Hants 2XI Against MCC

Match reports from both of Hampshire 2nd XI's matches against MCC Young Cricketers in ECB T20 at The Rose Bowl Nursery Ground.

Hampshire 2nd XI v MCC Young Cricketers
ECB T20
Monday, May 23 2011
The Rose Bowl Nursery

Summary: MCC Young Cricketers won by eight wickets
Hampshire 2nd XI: 173-6 (20 ovs)
MCC Young Cricketers: 176-2 (17.5 ovs)

Despite half-centuries from opening batsman Tim Ravenscroft and wicketkeeper Adam Rouse, Hampshire’s 2nd XI could not prevent an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of the MCC Young Cricketers on The Rose Bowl’s nursery ground.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, opener Hamza Riazuddin (0) fell early, but then a terrific third wicket stand of 86 between Ravenscroft (53) and Rouse (54) took Hampshire to 93-2.

Runs down the order from overseas signing Friedel de Wet (13) and Michael Bates (19) boosted the batting effort as Hampshire made 173-6 off their 20 overs.

In reply, a 71-ball 91 not out (which included eight fours and six sixes) from explosive batsman Sean Terry proved crucial as he, alongside Omar Ali (46), shared a 105-run opening stand putting the MCC side on course for victory on what proved to be a good batting track.

Hampshire manoeuvred their bowling unit in search of a breakthrough. When a sharp De Wet ball (1-29) bowled Ali and Riazuddin quickly dismissed Eddie Ballard (3), it looked like the hosts could claw the game back. However, Terry stood firm and his innings was shored up by Daniel Blacktopp (25*) to take Hampshire’s opponents past the finishing line.

 

Hampshire 2nd XI v MCC Young Cricketers
ECB T20
Monday, May 23 2011
The Rose Bowl Nursery

Summary: Hampshire 2nd XI won by six wickets
MCC Young Cricketers: 134-8 (20 ovs)
Hampshire 2nd XI: 135-4 (20 ovs) 

A spectacular 24-ball half-century from Hampshire 2nd XI captain Hamza Riazuddin guided the hosts to a 6-wicket victory inside twelve overs during the second fixture of the day against The MCC Young Cricketers. 

Having won the toss for a second time, Riazuddin, this time put the opposition into bat on a nursery ground wicket which offered something for the bowlers.

His decision was soon vindicated, as the MCC could not repeat their earlier batting performance. Matchwinners from earlier in the day, Terry (10) and Ali (11) were both snaffled by wicketkeeper Michael Bates off the quick bowling of Jack Sheppard (1-10) and Chris Wood (2-16) early on.

Then a blistering middle-order burst from 17-year-old James Haggaty (3-23) meant the MCC limped to a below par total of 134-8. It was left to Daniel Blacktopp (51*) to lead the recovery from 2-25 to 6-117, but skilful bowling at the death from De Wet (1-26) restricted the away opposition.  

Hampshire’s pursuit of the 135 runs required for victory got off to an explosive start, as Ravenscroft (23 off 10 balls) and Rouse (25 off 10 deliveries) helped the hosts get on top of the run rate early – either side of the early wicket of Wood (1). 

But it was Riazuddin (52), alongside Bates (19*), who made sure Hampshire avenged their earlier defeat and raced to victory inside 11.3 overs! 

Words: Stuart Appleby
Images: LMI Photography

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