Wood, Vince lead the way as Hampshire overwhelm Middlesex

James Vince unfurls his trademark cover drive Getty Images

Hampshire 130 for 2 (Vince 45) beat Middlesex 126 for 7 (Hollman 47*, Wood 2-20) by eight wickets

Chris Wood led an exemplary display from Hampshire's bowlers as they swept aside Middlesex by eight wickets at Merchant Taylors' School.

The left-arm seamer took wickets in successive balls to return 2 for 20 and with the in-form Scott Currie taking 1 for 15 and veteran spinner Liam Dawson 1 for 24, the visitors restricted Middlesex to a meagre 126 for 7.

That score was largely reliant on Luke Hollman's unbeaten 47 from 33 balls, though the spinning all-rounder should have been run out by yards in the final over by James Vince's direct hit, only for umpire Chris Watts to fail to raise his finger.

Hampshire made light work of the chase, Vince leading the way with 45, while Joe Weatherley (36 from 21) and Hilton Cartwright (29 off 13) added 47 in 21 balls to hasten the end.

Hopes Middlesex would be able to build on their win at Hove the night before quickly evaporated as Wood grabbed the initiative with his double strike early in the powerplay.

Max Holden topped edged the seamer into the hands of former Middlesex man Cartwright before snaring Josh de Caires caught behind first ball. Leus du Plooy kept out the hat-trick ball but the dye was cast.

The miserly Currie accounted for Adam Rossington caught at mid-on and with du Plooy and Ryan Higgins failing to sparkle the hosts were soon 47 for 5. Caleb Falconer then flourished briefly before being bowled by Liam Dawson attempting to sweep.

Thereafter, save for one straight six from Eathan Bosch, it was Hollman against the rest, the spinning all-rounder clouting a huge six into the scoreboard and employing the scoop to good effect to at least get Middlesex above a run a ball.

Hampshire's openers batted with great intent, perhaps with an eye on improving their net run-rate as well as claiming the points for the win.

Vince set the tone, cutting and driving majestically and Toby Albert too looked in good touch until skying a drive to mid-off from the penultimate ball of the powerplay.

Vince maintained the tempo and it was a surprise when he was caught behind attempting to sweep Hollman, so missing out on the half-century which had seemed inevitable.

By then Joe Weatherley was peppering the ropes, and he and Cartwright (badly dropped by Noah Cornwell on seven) finished the game in a hurry, the Australian striking three sixes in four balls.

Hampshire 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st42JM VinceTE Albert
2nd41JM VinceJJ Weatherley
3rd47HWR CartwrightJJ Weatherley

Twenty20 Cup (England)

Central & West Group
TeamMWLPTNRR
NOR1073280.415
SOM1055200.587
WAR1055200.079
GLO105520-0.236
GLA1046160.107
WOR104616-0.923
Cross Pool
TeamMWLPTNRR
NOR22083.425
GLO22082.825
WOR22082.525
SOM22081.669
GLA22080.777
NOT22080.496
DUR21142.325
WAR21141.772
LEI21140.117
SUR21140.05
HAM2114-0.674
ESS2114-3.04
DER2020-0.908
LAN2020-1.5
YOR2020-1.564
KEN2020-2.434
SUS2020-2.51
MID2020-3.278
North Group
TeamMWLPTNRR
YOR1072301.183
LAN106326-0.09
NOT1064240.099
DUR1046160.06
DER1035160.656
LEI10288-1.932
South Group
TeamMWLPTNRR
HAM1073280.48
ESS1064241.062
SUR1064240.804
KEN104616-0.575
MID104616-0.833
SUS103710-0.893