PRO40 DIVISION ONE, The Rose Bowl:
Somerset 207-4 beat Hampshire 205-7 (Somerset 2pts)

Craig Kieswetter has now hit 854 one-day runs for Somerset this summer

Craig Kieswetter kept up his fine form as he struck 81 to keep Somerset's Pro40 Division One title hopes alive with a six-wicket win at The Rose Bowl.

South Africa-born opener Kieswetter was dropped on two by Chris Tremlett.

But he shared a first-wicket stand of 78 with Marcus Trescothick (44) as Somerset got home with seven overs to spare on 207-4.

Earlier, Charl Willoughby had taken 3-36 as Hampshire were restricted to 205-7, Ben Phillips taking 2-31.

That was thanks mainly to skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas coming in to hit a rapid 43 from 29 balls at the end.

But Somerset got home with ease to move up to second place ahead of Monday night's floodlit clash with fellow title rivals Worcestershire (14 September, 1640 BST).

Both teams are three points behind Sussex and are the only teams who can catch the leaders, who also visit New Road on the final Sunday of the season (27 September, 1245 BST).

Somerset's final game is the same day at home to Durham.

Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas told BBC Radio Solent:

"We just didn't get enough runs on the board, it's as simple as that.

"We lost early wickets and it's hard to come back from that.

"One of our things is to keep wickets in hand for the end, but we're not doing that in this competition, which is why we have lost three in a row."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version