On This Day: Completing The Double In 2012

Read the latest instalment of our 'On This Day' series with contributions from Hampshire Cricket historian Dave Allen.

Hampshire Royals v Warwickshire Bears, Clydesdale Bank 40, 15th September 2012

Having won the Twenty20 Cup just three weeks earlier, Hampshire completed a historic white-ball double on this day in 2012 by defeating Warwickshire in the CB40 final at Lord's.

Warwickshire Bears won the toss and elected to field but contributions from all of Hampshire’s top-order saw the Royals post a competitive 244-5 (Adams 66, Ervine 57).

The Bears’ chase began well and centred around England star, Ian Bell (81). However, when Bell fell in the 37th over – well caught by Carberry off the bowling of David Griffiths – the Bears required 27 runs from the last three overs to deny Hampshire the double.

A fruitful pair of overs saw the Bears require only seven runs from the final’s last over.

Up step, Kabir Ali. The seamer – who spent three seasons with Hampshire – bowled Ian Blackwell with his third delivery which brought Neil Carter – the Warwickshire veteran who was playing his last game for the Club – to the crease.

Carter clubbed a four from the penultimate delivery of the match meaning the scores were tied with one ball remaining.

In remarkable, unforgettable scenes Ali bowled the all-important dot giving Hampshire a dramatic victory – and completing a white-ball double – courtesy of Hampshire losing fewer wickets than the Bears.