Zac Morris helps Hampshire prevail in close encounter with Worcestershire

Zac Morris, Hampshire's 22 year old left-arm pace bowler will not forget his National League debut in a hurry: three wickets including that of Graeme Hick and then the winning runs with just two balls remaining.

In a low-scoring match Hampshire scraped home by three wickets in front of a crowd of around 1,500 for the inaugural National League match at the Rose Bowl.

Morris, younger brother of first team regular Alex, dismissed Phil Weston in his first over after Worcestershire had chosen to bat first and then bowled the dangerous Hick between bat and pad for 13 at the end of his first spell. Later he returned to get rid of Nick Boulton to finish with creditable figures of three for 31.

Worcestershire were never able to accelerate after a shaky start but Vikram Solanki and David Leatherdale propelled them to respectability with a stand of 65 for the fourth wicket, Solanki hitting five fours in his 38 and Leatherdale making an innings top score of 41 before both were out to spinner Shaun Udal.

At 133 for seven Worcestershire were in danger of not being able to set Hampshire much of a total to chase. But then the reliable Steve Rhodes and Stuart Lampitt added an unbroken 50 in nine overs so that Worcestershire's 183 for seven was at least a test.

When Robin Smith departed for 46 to leave Hampshire 95 for four a real battle was about to unfold. Will Kendall and promising newcomer Lawrence Prittipaul appeared to swing the match Hampshire's way in a stand of 73; the best of the day, but still Worcestershire were not done.

Kendall, Prittipaul and Dimitri Mascarenhas were all out with victory in sight so that seven were needed from the last over of the game from Alamgir Sheriyar. There were three balls remaining when Morris straight drove for four to provide Hampshire with a winning total of 186 for seven.