Kiwis conquer Hampshire - just

The New Zealand A team overcame Hampshire by two wickets at Portsmouth thanks mainly to the batting of wicketkeeper Michael Papps. The tourists had been asked to score 337 runs to win - the second highest such target in a four-innings game on the historic 105 year-old ground.

The New Zealanders had started the day in a strong position at 193-2. Jarrod Englefield and nightwatchman Bruce Martin took the total to 230 when the former was leg-before to Dmitri Mascarenhas. His partner was out just before lunch to Chris Tremlett who also had Jacob Oram caught.

The Kiwis went in to lunch at 283-5 and the issue still in doubt. Captain Scott Styris survived two dropped catches to score 43 before John Stephenson made it third time lucky for the fielders. By now the New Zealanders started to panic as wickets continued to fall. Papps played through the crisis - helped by Lance Hamilton who hitherto had not scored a first-class run on the tour - and brought the Kiwis home. Stephenson with 4-68 was Hampshire's most successful bowler.