[Ferd]

(From now on this will be mostly a Super Cup thread with updates on some of the main matches throughout the regular season.)

Hampshire defeat Essex in thriller!

Hampshire have deafeated Essex in today's Super Cup match.

Hampshire's Captain Lawerence Prittipaul elected to bowl first on a good-looking pitch. Prittpaul was almost instantly rewarded with the wicket of John Stephenson for only 3. Darren Robinson and Zimbabwian Andy Flower then tried to right the ship but Robinson could only manage 26 before chopping the ball onto his stumps. Habib (16) and Hussain (7) did not hang around long, both dismissed by the on-fire Tomlinson. As Ronald Irani stroad to the crease Essex where in trouble on 4-99. Then Irani and Flower started to hit out in a partnership of 155 before Andy Flower on 107 was caught behind with only 5 balls to go in the innings. Irani finshed on 95* and new-comer Dakin on 11*. Essex finshed on 5-268 with James Tomlinson getting 3-41 off his 10 overs while Irfan Shah let through only 26 runs off his 10 overs.

Hampshire's opening pair, William Black and Irfan Shah set off at a cracking pace putting together 63 before Shah was dismissed in the 11th over. John Francis and Black continued with the job before Francis was caught at bat pad. Derek Kenway failed in the top order again departing woth only 5 to his name. The captain Prittipaul(26) witnessed Black's 2nd century in 4 games before being adjuded lbw. Hampshire then suffered a mini collapse with Benham(4), Black(110)and Brunnschweller(8) departing within a couple of overs. But at this stage Hampshire were at 7-238 and almost home. Stout batting from Hamblin(11), Tomlinson(15*) and Schofield(7*) brought Hampshire to victory in the 45th over. Man of the Match was William Black(110) but notable mentions must also go out to James Tomlinson(15*,3-41 off 10) and Irfan Shah(37, 0-26 off 10). Hampshire must win the next match to keep their final hopes alive...