Carberry hundred in big Hants win

Michael Carberry blasted 148 not out as Hampshire eased past Scotland's challenge at West End by six wickets and with almost four overs to spare. Carberry shared in century stands with Simon Katich and then Liam Dawson after Hampshire had slumped to 15 for 2, needing 231 to complete a double over the Scots.

Scotland captain Gordon Drummond chose to bat first and they reached 230 for 9 from their 40 overs, with the experienced Majid Haq top-scoring with an unbeaten 53 at a run a ball.

Key to Scotland's steady total was a partnership of 80 between Haq and South African-born Preston Mommsen which held up Hampshire after the first five wickets had fallen for 97 on a gentle batting surface. Richie Berrington struck Dimitri Mascarenhas for six but was then caught behind in the same over and another South African, Jean Symes, went the same way in Sean Ervine's first over.

Mommsen lifted left-arm spinner Danny Briggs for six on his way to an aggressive 48 but Briggs stuck to his task and had Mommsen caught at slip by Dawson just as Scotland looked to step up the pace. Briggs finished with figures of 3 for 35, later dismissing Craig Wallace and Moneeb Iqbal with successive deliveries and both to leg-before decisions.

Hampshire soon discovered their task was not going to be easy when their captain Jimmy Adams was out to the third ball of the innings and James Vince was lbw to Drummond at the end of the third over.

At that point an upset was a distinct possibility but Carberry soon showed his class by leading a strong recovery. Australian Katich made 41 before his dismissal to a catch behind by Wallace off Matt Parker induced some concern in the Hampshire camp. Big-hitting Ervine followed with the total on 131, another victim for pace bowler Parker, leaving Hampshire 100 to win in 17 overs.

It was then that Carberry took control with some extravagant boundaries as Hampshire made light of their target and exposed a lack of depth in the Scottish bowling attack.

Left-hander Carberry, who played for England Lions against the West Indies last month, rose to the demands of the occasion by hitting 20 fours in addition to sixes off Josh Davey, Berrington and then Haq to win the match at the start of the 37th over.

Dawson, a minor partner in the late carnage, finished 27 not out while there were two wickets each for Drummond and Parker.