Roland-Jones burst sees Middlesex past Hampshire
Middlesex 295 (50 ovs): Gubbins 114, Voges 44; Topley 4-68
Hampshire 146-7 (30.3 ovs): Bailey 52*; Roland-Jones 4-10, Higgins 2-33
Hampshire (0pts) lost to Middlesex (2pts) by 88 runs (D/L method)
A devastating spell of bowling by Toby Roland-Jones kick-started Middlesex’s Royal London Cup bid as they overcame Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
The paceman tore into Hampshire’s batting with a seven-over spell of 4-10 that reduced the home side to 34-4 and they were never able to recover, despite George Bailey’s unbeaten half-century.
Earlier, Nick Gubbins (114) struck a classy hundred to anchor Middlesex’s innings of 295 – which proved an adequate total for them to secure their first win of the season.
Put in to bat, Middlesex got off to a solid start, although Dawid Malan (23) was caught swishing down the leg side and Sam Robson limped off with 12 to his name after pulling a hamstring.
However, Gubbins and Adam Voges (44) oversaw a steady rate of progress, reaching 180-1 before the latter took a swing at Mason Crane (3-57) and skied to short cover.
Gubbins progressed past a well-deserved ton but, once he had been yorked by Reece Topley, Middlesex lost their way and their last eight wickets tumbled for just 77 runs.
John Simpson (23), James Franklin (29) and James Fuller (16) all came and went – with Fuller staying on the field to act as runner when the injured Robson returned and holed out to the final ball of the innings.
Michael Carberry clipped a couple of early boundaries when Hampshire replied, but was caught at third man off Roland-Jones, who proceeded to rip the heart out of the top order.
Roland-Jones claimed the scalps of Tom Alsop, James Vince and Liam Dawson in quick succession before Bailey (52*) and Sean Ervine climbed into the change bowlers with a partnership of 70.
However, Ryan Higgins (2-33) made the breakthrough when Ervine (33) heaved him to deep mid-wicket and then followed it up by bowling Lewis McManus with one that kept low.
Former Middlesex all-rounder Gareth Berg blazed a quick 15 before he fell to Tom Helm’s diving catch at long-off – and the rain descended soon afterwards with Hampshire well behind the required rate at 146-7 in the 31st over.
