Hampshire Hawks v Sussex Sharks Pro40 13th August

Top-scorer Carberry made 53 (Photo - Barry Zee)

Match Report from BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James:

In a difficult week when coach Paul Terry had told the players that he was to stand down at the end of the season, the squad showed strength in character to beat neighbours Sussex, and record their first win in this years Pro 40 League One campaign.

An emphatic 66 run victory also lifted them off the bottom of the pile and in to mid-table.

Hampshire outplayed their opponents in all departments.

The start of play was delayed by an hour due to rain, which meant initially the match was reduced to 34 overs per side. After just two balls of the Hampshire innings the rain returned, taking the players off for a further 25 minutes. When play restarted, the game was reduced to 31 overs per side.

Michael Lumb went early, hitting James Kirtley to fine leg, but Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry mixed sensible stroke play with controlled aggression putting on 46 for the second wicket. Adams (18) was brilliantly caught at square cover by a diving Dwayne Smith, but Carberry kept the top order together with his second half century in consecutive matches, eventually falling caught and bowled to off spinner Olly Rayner.

Man of the match Liam Dawson (43) was then joined by Dimi Mascarenhas (47) in the final ten overs, and their fifth wicket partnership, worth 81, saw Hampshire post an imposing 189-8.

It needed a good start with the ball to put Sussex under pressure, and opening bowlers David Balbombe and Mascarenhas did just that, conceding just 19 runs in the first ten overs.

They were rewarded too with a wicket a piece. Balcombe had Brown brilliantly caught by Lumb at slip and Mascarenhas had Nash caught by Dawson running back at mid off as the Sussex batsman tried to to break free. The Hampshire spinners then turned the screw as first Greg Lamb and then Imran Tahir and Dawson all found a bit of life. The introduction of Tahir brought immediate results as he first had Murray Goodwin (3) caught at square cover, and then had the dangerous Adams LBW playing across the line once too often.

Hampshire never let Sussex off the hook and Tahir finished with 5-27, supported by Dawson who finished 2-21.

Afterwards Dawson told BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James
"We've had a tough week, with Paul resigning…all the lads stepped up tonight…we needed that win, hopefully that's set up up for the rest of the season. I personally enjoyed batting up the order and enjoyed the pressure".

The Hawks next match is against the Somerset Sabres in the NatWest Pro40 on Sunday 17th August at Taunton. You can follow all action with ball-by-ball commentary from BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James, follow the link from homepage to listen live.

Hampshire's next home match is against Somerset in the LV County Championship starting on Tuesday 19th August. Tickets are available on the gate priced at £15 for Adults, £12 for Seniors/Students and £5 for Juniors (Under 16's)

Scorecard