White Lightning strikes, but injury cloud looms

Grave fears swept around Hampshire's County Ground when South African pace ace Allan Donald was stretched from the field and taken to hospital after crashing into advertising hoardings late in Warwickshire's comfortable win on Monday.

Donald earlier captured three wickets in his first three overs, including the vital scalp of Hampshire captain Robin Smith, who he beat for sheer pace in a devastating display of fast bowling.

But when he attempted a catch at long-on, in the 31st over of Hampshire's innings, he fell heavily into the boundary boards. Play was delayed for four minutes as he slumped in pain in front of a stunned members' stand, players and officials rushed to his aid, paramedics were called to assist the 33-year-old from the ground and an ambulance conveyed him to a local hospital.

Warwickshire fans at the ground were devestated. Their team was in complete control of the match, but the pending victory was marred by thoughts that their star paceman might have injured himself badly enough to miss the lengthy remainder of the season.

Soon after the match, Warwickshire coach Bob Woolmer revealed that Donald believes he may have broken a rib. However, the full extent of his fall remains unknown.

But Warwickshire proved it will be a force to be reckoned with in division two of the National League, outclassing Hampshire in all facets of the game.

Even Australian leg-spin great Shane Warne's debut at the County Ground could not lift his side.

Warne was Hampshire's best bowler and claimed 2/31 from his nine overs, but his two wickets came in the final over of Warwickshire's innings as the visitors amassed 215.

England batsman Nick Knight (46) and Graeme Welch (39) got their team off to a great start, taking full advantage of short-of-a-length bowling from new ball duo John Stephenson (0/46) and Alan Mullally (1/38) to post 70 runs in the first 13 overs before a run-out ended their stand.

With Warne and Dimitri Mascarenhas (2/40) operating, Hampshire then pegged back the run rate to limit Warwickshire to just 14 runs in the next seven overs -- and the fall of another wicket.

Mullally's return to the attack, with a much fuller length this spell, brought immediate success with the dismissal of Dominic Ostler (9). Knight fell immediately after, scooping an easy catch back to off-spinner Shaun Udal (2/47) and Warwickshire had crashed to 98/4.

However, sometimes-sloppy fielding allowed Warwickshire to skip away and Trevor Penney (51) and Mohammed Sheikh (36) boosted the total with a superb 60-run partnership late in the innings, before both fell victim to Warne.

Hampshire failed to get off to the same flying start as their opponents, with Derek Kenway (12) falling victim to a careless run-out and Jason Laney (13) hitting a simple catch to point off Ed Giddins (1/26), before the introduction of Donald.

'White Lightning', as he was once known, bowled superbly to claim 3/9 from a six-over spell, bowling Smith (12) and having Giles White (9) and Stephenson (0) both magnificently caught behind by Keith Piper.

Lee Savident (25) and Mascarenhas (20) tried to rescue Hampshire's innings, but the home side was bowled out for 118 with more than nine overs batting time remaining.