Hampshire Team manager Giles White paid tribute to match winners Michael Lumb and Chris Tremlett after the Hawks' 28 run victory over Middlesex in the Twenty20 Cup.
 
Lumb made 93 and Tremlett took 2 for 28 as Hampshire safely protected their first innings total of 183, and White admitted both players' role in the side is very important. “Chris came back and delivered two fantastic overs and it turned the game for us and Michael Lumb has excelled in this competition again and again and he held our innings together, he’s been outstanding for us”.

 
 Lumb is now the leading run scorer in the Twenty20 Cup and White went on to describe the opener as a unique performer in this form of the game. “There’s no-one out there who can perform like him around the country. I think he’s right up there with the most dominating opening batsmen in this form of the game”.
 
Hampshire now face a crucial double header against Kent and Essex in an attempt to qualify for the quarter-final stage for the first time since 2004 and White knows a win on Friday against last year's finalists will all but guarantee their passage. “We’ve got to put in a couple more performances; there’s two big games and we’ll look towards Kent on Friday get some points and go to Chelmsford and see what happens”.

 
White was less happy about the schedule that his team have recently played, with the side set for their 11th day of cricket in just 16 days on Friday. “It’s a difficult transition for the team going from one competition to another, and the schedule is quite tough and I’d question the schedule, it’s been tough on the players and on preparation but we’ll deal with it.”
 
Hampshire’s next match is that crucial Twenty20 group match against Kent at The Rose Bowl on Friday, which starts at 7pm. 

Post match reporting by Nick Howson

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