Hampshire Hawks lost to Middlesex Crusaders by 33 runs

Match Report by BBC Radio Solent's Kris Temple

Hampshire Hawks' Twenty20 Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start, as Middlesex Crusaders swept to an ultimately comfortable victory at The Rose Bowl.

Hampshire won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first on a sunny early-evening, and the Crusaders flew out of the blocks, racing to 71 for 1 from the first six overs. England batsman Andrew Strauss and skipper Ed Smith led the way with 27 each, and their good work was continued by another England international, Owais Shah, who hit 48 from 34 balls.

A tight spell from off-spinner Greg Lamb (1-24) brought Hampshire back into the game, before the unlikely bowling hero Kevin Pietersen - making his Twenty20 debut for the county - picked up a career-best 3 for 33 from his 3 overs.

Returning to the Rose Bowl for the first time since his departure last summer, man-of-the-match Shaun Udal struck three sixes in an 18-ball 32, as the Crusaders posted 190 for 7 from their 20 overs.

New recruit Ian Harvey - whose signing was only tied up hours before the game - got Hampshire off to a brisk start, making 22 from 15 balls, before he was run out in a mix-up with Pietersen.

A partnership of 74 though between Pietersen and Sean Ervine put Hampshire back on course, before fell in the same Shaun Udal over, to leave their side 119 for 5.

The game then slipped away from the Hawks, with regular wickets falling, and they ended on 157 for 8, 33 runs short of the Middlesex total. Udal ended with 3 for 21 from his four overs.

Hampshire will now be without their England trio of Pietersen, Dimi Mascarenhas and Chris Tremlett, starting with Friday's trip to Sussex. 

BBC Radio Solent's sports team will be providing ball by ball commentary of all the action.

Join BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James and Kris Temple from 6:55pm on Friday to listen live by following the BBC Radio Solent link from our homepage or following this link.  BBC Radio Solent

Hawks captain Dimi Mascarenhas told BBC RADIO SOLENT:

"We've got to give credit to Middlesex. They played really well, they assessed the wicket early and got on with it. 190 was a good score, and it was always going to be tough when it started turning. KP and Sean Ervine getting out in the same over wasn't ideal, but we were still in with a chance. They bowled some good overs and finished us off." 

Scorecard

Mascarenhas frustrated Joyce (34) (Photo - jasonpix.com)

Udal looks on as Pietersen bowls and catches Murtagh (Photo - jasonpix.com)

Scott (1) run out by Pietersen (Photo - jasonpix.com)

 

 

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