Middlesex Crusaders v Hampshire Hawks NatWest Pro40 24 August 2008
Ervine leads the way
(ECB Match Report)
Sean Ervine's unbeaten century helped Hampshire to the top of the NatWest Pro40 Division One table courtesy of a 26-run win over Middlesex at Lord's.
He made 103 not out – his first century in England since reaching three figures in the Friends Provident Final in 2005 – as the Hawks posted 228 for six.
Middlesex were then bowled out for 202 thanks largely to Liam Dawson's 4-45.
Ervine shared a fifth-wicket stand of 100 with the highly-rated Dawson, who scored 45, as they rescued Hampshire from 61 for four.
The Crusaders' reply got off to a controversial start when they lost Ed Joyce in the fifth over, to a low catch claimed at mid-off by Imran Tahir.
Ben Scott was next out with the score on 54 thanks a brilliant diving catch by Ervine at slip, and Tyron Henderson holed out to long-on soon afterwards.
But Andrew Strauss (71) continued to dominate the bowling, reaching his half-century from just 52 balls as he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 63 with Eoin Morgan.
Strauss was trapped lbw on the back foot by Dawson, though, and in the next over Morgan was bowled round his legs sweeping Tahir.
When Gareth Berg was then beaten by turn from Dawson as he fell for one, Middlesex looked in trouble.
Dawid Malan smashed 19 off Dawson in the 33rd over but then fell to a catch at extra-cover.
After a rapid 20 from Shaun Udal against his old team, he fell to Chris Tremlett off a leading edge and the match was wrapped up in the penultimate over.
Earlier, Hampshire got off to a reasonable start with openers Michael Lumb and Adams putting on 48 for the first wicket, but Adams fell in the 11th over, caught at short third-man.
Middlesex then took three wickets in just nine balls. Michael Carberry edged behind, Chris Benham was leg before without scoring and Lumb played on attempting to cut Henderson.
Ervine and Dawson took their cue until the latter holed out to Joyce at mid-on.
But the ex-Zimbabwe all-rounder stayed to complete his hundred in the final over with three successive boundaries off Henderson, whose last two overs cost 30
Hampshire's next match is against Durham in the LV County Championship on Wednesday 27th August at Mays Bounty in Basingstoke. Tickets are available on the day at £15 for Adults and £12 for Seniors/Students, £5 for Juniors (Unders 16's)
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