Malan leads Middlesex to thumping T20 victory

Middlesex offered hope of a revival in T20 fortunes as they launched this year’s campaign with an unexpectedly comfortable victory over perennial contenders Hampshire at Uxbridge.

The hosts, who finished bottom of the South group in the last two seasons, were led brilliantly by new T20 skipper Dawid Malan, who hit a 48-ball 93.

James Fuller, making his Middlesex debut after signing from Gloucestershire in the close season, then took 2-17 as Hampshire were bowled out for just 126.

It was Middlesex’s first victory of the season after six successive draws in four-day cricket.

Both sides were without a number of key players, with Middlesex’s Eoin Morgan and Brendon McCullum on IPL duty and Hampshire skipper James Vince playing in England’s Test match against Sri Lanka.

Hampshire put Middlesex in and were relieved at restricting them to 195-6 given the hosts were 150-3 with five overs left.

Malan hit the first five balls he faced to the boundary and reached his half-century off 27 balls. He hit 10 fours and five sixes before slashing Gareth Andrew to Tino Best at fly slip.

Shahid Afridi bookmarked his final over with the wickets of Ryan Higgins and John Simpson to keep Middlesex below 200.

Hampshire, though, collapsed from 55-1 to 77-7 before eventually subsiding to 126 all out with more than four overs remaining.

Jimmy Adams was spectacularly caught by substitute fielder Nathan Sowter, off Fuller, and Toby Roland-Jones struck in successive balls, removing Adam Wheather and then knocking out Sean Ervine’s middle stump.

Afridi hit the hat-trick ball for four but was run out attempting a second and although Liam Dawson hit 46 off 29 balls the contest was effectively over.