Hampshire Hawks v Lancashire Lightnings Pro40 3rd August

Rain brought a premature end to Hampshire's Pro 40 Division One match at The Rose Bowl Match abandoned with both sides picking up one point

Match Report by BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James:

Rain brought a premature end to Hampshire's Pro 40 Division One match at The Rose Bowl.

Needing 211 for victory off 39 overs, Hampshire had reached 14 without loss from 5 overs, when persistant drizzle drove the players from the field. The rain then became a little heavier and play was later abandoned, with both sides picking up one point.

The start of play had been delayed for fifteen minutes following a prolonged shower, but fortunately only a total of two overs were lost.

Hampshire gave the visitors first use of a wicket that gave all the seam bowlers some help. It took a couple of overs for Dimi Mascarenhas and David Balcombe to find a consistant line length, and when they did the wickets started to fall.
With the score on 16, Balcombe picked up the first Lancashire wicket when Luke Vincent (3) pushed to hard at a fullish delivery that picked out Michael Carberry in the covers.
Phil Horton (14) fell in the next over when Mascarenhas produced a beauty to knock back the right handers off stump whilst he prodded forward.
Stuart Law and Glen Chapple then took Lancashire from 16 to 41 before both perished off successive deliveries. Law (13) was becoming increasingly fidgety in the seamer friendly conditions, and looking to force Mascarenhas off the back foot, was bowled with one that cut back. From the very next delivery, Billy Taylor bowled Chapple (8) with the Lancs all-rounder playing across a straight delivery.

The visitors were there for the taking at 41-4, but on this occasion, Hampshire didn't quite have the strength and depth in their bowling to keep the visitors under pressure.
Francois Du Plessis and Steven Croft played sensibly but positively putting on 116 for the 5th wicket, which took the initiative away from the home side.

Du Plessis (63 off 77) eventually perished in the deep off Sean Ervine, with Croft (70 off 67) caught at extra cover off Billy Taylor (4/26), who was the pick of the Hampshire bowlers.
In reply Michael Lumb and Michael Carberry were watchful in the early stages. With the skies above The Rose Bowl becoming increasingly leaden, it was only a matter of time before the players would be asked to leave the field. Hampshire made three changes from the side that lost to Nottinghamshire last week. Chris Tremlett was rested, John Crawley was injured and Liam Dawson was on England under-19 duty. In came Greg Lamb, Chris Benham and David Balcombe.

Hampshire Captain Dimi Mascarenhas said to BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James after the match:

"I think they got a few to many. I think probably 25 to 30 to many, especially after the start they got. We were looking pretty good when they were 41-4. Another seamer would have been a bonus even though it turned a little bit."

Hampshire's next match is against Yorkshire in the LV County Championship starting Wednesday 6th August. Tickets are available on the day at £15 for Adult, £12 for Senoirs/Students and £5 for Juniors (Under 16's)

Scorecard