Smith raises Hampshire hopes

Robin Smith reversed the fortunes of a disappointing season to raise Hampshire's hopes of securing a place in the final of the NatWest Trophy final at Edgbaston this afternoon.

Opening the batting for the first time this season, the Hampshire skipper made a quick and purposeful 61 as his side launched a strong reply to Warwickshire's 50 overs total of 262 for four.

He batted with John Stephenson who was happy to play second fiddle to the impatient Smith and together the pair scored at more than five an over for the first 13 overs, scoring at a higher rate than Warwickshire had at the same stage before them.

But with the score on 66, Stephenson attempted to hook Dougie Brown and mistimed the ball sending it high to square leg where Michael Powell took the catch.

Smith, who's highest score in NatWest cricket this year was 23, was unruffled and progressed stylishly to his 50. It came from 58 balls and included eight fours, most of them the trademark square cuts that made him one of England's most effective players at the start of the last decade.

But in the 23rd over, Smith was bamboozled by the introduction of two spin bowlers into the attack who exploited his weakness for the turning slower ball and it was Neil Smith, the skipper who captured him with a ball that pitched outside the off-stump and turned neatly, bowling Smith through the gate.

The score was 102 for two and with Hampshire's batting their principal problem area this year, the game instantly swung back in Warwickshire's favour for the first time since the innings started.

Giles White went four overs later caught at deep mid wicket by Nick Knight to beome Smith's second victim of the innings leaving Hampshire on 121 for three and with plenty still to do.