Hampshire complete a hat trick of defeats in the Winelands Tournament

Hampshire completed a hat trick of defeats in the Winelands Tournament, when they again failed to post a decent score, against a well drilled Warwickshire outfit.

Losing the toss for the third successive time, Warwickshire piled on agony as their batsmen made hey, whilst the sun shone. Nick Knight carried his bat throughout the 40 overs for 79, whilst Wagh and Ostler attacked the Hampshire bowlers, none of whom had any answer to it, the midland side registering the highest score of the six match tournament.

Hampshire's batting was again in a sorry state, as the 103 run defeat showed. Again having to bat in the less than effective floodlights, Robin Smith looked totally out of sorts, and managed just two, before being comprehensively bowled by Dagnall. Aymes was caught mid-wicket after being sent back by White and was run out. Prittipaul, White and Kendall all went in quick succession, and at 22 for 5, were in danger of posting an embarrassing low score.

The Morris brothers Alex and Zac at least started putting the bat to the ball, with Alex being particularly aggressive, but both fell to Sierra the Warwickshire seam bowler, and by then it was "Goodnight Sierra" for Hampshire. Hamblin was another needless run out, as Shah and Francis pushed the score past the century mark, but by then the game was well lost, and Warwickshire were going through the motions.

Hampshire have a days practise tomorrow (Sunday) then start a three day match at Stellenboch University. The three coaches out in South Africa with the team Jimmy Cook, Tim Tremlett and Tony Middleton really have some serious work to do, to bring this bad run to an end.

"It's been really disappointing" said Cook, "In hindsight perhaps we should have had some decent practise before playing competitive matches off the plane. We have to get our heads down and get back to basics, starting with Monday's match".