On This Day: Man Of The Match Pothas Too Much For Sussex

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

Hampshire (309 & 277) v Sussex (316 & 235) , County Championship, Rose Bowl: 20 July 2005

Hampshire pressed for the Championship title in 2005 but came to this game on the back of three defeats in four matches and as for much of the season, with their captain Shane Warne, on Ashes duty. Chris Tremlett was also in the England squad when the teams were named so Billy Taylor started the match with an innings and four overs, but when Tremlett was released, he took Billy’s place as a full-playing substitute.

Before that, Kirtley, Lewry and Naved reduced Hampshire to 102-6, including Craig Macmillan in his final Championship game for Hampshire, before Nic Pothas (135) and Sean Ervine (69) came together in a partnership of 191 which ended with Ervine’s dismissal from the final ball.

Hampshire were all out for 309 on the second morning and Sussex took a lead of just seven, with Ervine confirming his all-round abilities with 5-73. Hampshire made a worse start to their second innings, but from 28-5, Shane Watson (82), Pothas again with 74, and Tremlett 44* enabled them to set a target of 271. Ervine (4-54) and Mascarenhas (5-64) then bowled them to victory by 35 runs, with their last four wickets going for just 19 runs. Hampshire were on their way again but would have to be content with second place come September.