Report & Reaction: Hampshire Hawks v Middlesex, Vitality Blast

All six bowlers took wickets for the Hawks before heavy rain lead to abandonment with Hampshire in a strong position against Middlesex.

The Hawks’ second rained off game means that they are now fifth as Middlesex sit second from bottom.

Hampshire Hawks won the toss and chose to field first under lights as Stephen Eskinazi hit the first ball of the game through the covers for four off the bowling of Michael Neser.

The Middlesex opener’s stay was short though as he was clean bowled by Chris Wood in the second over following a failed scoop shot.

Despite the loss of an early wicket, the visitors continued to go hard as Martin Andersson pulled Neser out of the ground before being caught behind playing a cut shot the ball later.

Wickets continued to fall as John Turner had Joe Cracknell caught behind in the sixth over with Middlesex finishing the powerplay on 55 for 3.

Hampshire restricted the flow of runs with only two boundaries hit in four overs as the visitors were 81 for 3 halfway through their innings.

Looking to push on, Ryan Higgins hit the first ball of the 11^th over for four before Benny Howell snuck through and bowled Max Holden, with the left hander giving himself room to cut.

Liam Dawson was the next Hawks bowler to get in the wicket’s column as Middlesex’s number six Jack Davies missed a reverse sweep and was given out LBW.

Coming back for his second spell, James Fuller got the big scalp of Ryan Higgins caught by an excellent diving catch at mid-off from the skipper James Vince.

More wickets fell as John Turner had Luke Hollman caught at long on before Josh De Caires holed out to deep square leg to give Neser his second wicket of the night.

At 113 for 8 the dark clouds descended over Utilita Bowl as an initial shower passed with the ground staff partially removing the covers in preparation for a restart. However, another heavy shower followed leading to standing water on the outfield and the game eventually abandoned.