FRIENDS PROVIDENT t20, Chelmsford:
Essex 163-7 beat Hampshire 161-6 by three wickets
Match scorecard

Essex's hopes of securing a quarter-final place in the Friends Provident t20 received a boost with a thrilling three-wicket win over rivals Hampshire.

Replying to a Hampshire total of 161-6 at Chelmsford, the hosts squeezed home with just one delivery to spare.

They arrived at the final over sent down by Chris Wood with eight required and James Foster was run out from the first ball trying to scamper a single.

But Jaik Mickleburgh kept a cool head to see Essex home on 163-7.

The young Norfolk-born batsman hit boundaries from the third and fifth deliveries to help cement Essex's position in second place, moving them to within four points of South Group leaders Sussex.

But the foundation for success had been laid by a man almost double Mickleburgh's age, 39-year-old Grant Flower, who struck 10 boundaries making 54 from 38 balls.

Scott Styris quickly followed, caught in the deep attacking Dominic Cork after making 29 from 20 balls.

Tim Phillips and Foster soon followed him back to the pavilion as Hampshire fought back but, in the end, Mickleburgh was to prove the matchwinner.

When Hampshire batted, Liam Dawson and James Adams gave the innings a confident start with an opening stand of 51 in just under six overs.

But, once they were separated, the visitors lost their way. They required another nine overs to send the total into three figures and it was only a sparkling knock from Nic Pothas that enabled them to set a worthwhile target.

Pothas smashed six sixes and three fours while making 59 from just 27 balls before being run out from the last ball of the innings.

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