Hawks defeat Sharks in low scoring encounter

Hampshire Hawks got their ECB National League season off to a winning start, defeating Sussex Sharks in a low scoring encounter at The Rose Bowl on Sunday. Damp conditions meant that the wicket would always be difficult to bat on, so John Crawley on winning the toss chose to make first use of the conditions, and was soon to rue his decision when they lost three quick wickets to the Sussex seamers for just 23 runs.

John Crawley edged Robin Martin-Jankins to the wicket-keeper, out of form Derek Kenway and new boy Simon Katich both fell lbw to the pacy James Kirtley.

Robin Smith however held his end for a sturdy 44, a more circumspect innings in the circumstance than his usual style, and he found a good foil in Nic Pothas, after James Hamblin edged Kevin Innes to slip. Smith and Pothas put on 39 valuable runs, before Smith who had previously driven Innes for six, drove too early and was caught at mid-wicket. Will Kendall also edged the perservering Innes to Montgomerie.

With six wickets down for 97, Pothas was joined by Dimitri Mascarenhas as they edged towards a more respectable total. Mascarenhas was bowled going for an expansive drive, and Wasim Akram playing his first one-day match for his new county was dismissed without scoring.

Pothas continuing the form that sees him as the leading run scorer this season in first-class cricket nationally, remained not out, but Hampshire's score of 144-9 did not seem enough despite the vageries of the wicket.

At 50 for 1, that seemed to be the case. Montgomerie was trapped lbw to Chris Tremlett, but when Innes fell the same way, Sussex continued to lose wickets. Tremlett bowled superbly for his three wickets, Wasim Akram was his accurate best, and James Hamblin despite one ball costing 10 runs (no ball four, followed by a free ball six), also contributed well.

Shaun Udal then forced a frustrated Goodwin to lift the ball to give Hamblin a comfortable catch, then in the space of three balls removed Michael Yardy and Mushtaq. Wasim took the wicket of Kirtley, then Billy Taylor was run out following a direct hit from Mascarenhas. Sussex all out for 101 recorded their lowest Sunday/NUL league score against Hampshire since 1974.