Alsop's first century sets up great win for Hampshire

HAMPSHIRE hero Tom Alsop was buzzing after his first centured helped the team seal a brilliant victory against Surrey in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Tom Alsop. Picture: Neil MarshallTom Alsop. Picture: Neil Marshall
Tom Alsop. Picture: Neil Marshall

It was a dramatic six-wicket success for the hosts with Gareth Berg’s death bowling also vital.

Alsop continued his excellent form after scoring 50 and 83 retired ill in his two previous innings with an effortless and mature knock of 116.

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He said: ‘I’ve over the moon. I set out to do it at the start of the season and to accomplish it is great.

‘Bergy’s death bowling was fantastic, that last over was phenomenal and our fielding was top draw.

‘A win puts us back in the mix.’

Alsop’s fine display was backed up by Tino Best’s miserly one for 47 and Berg defending 11 in the final over to end with figures of three for 64.

Berg gave Hampshire the perfect start to their protection of 289 by wonderfully catching and bowling Steven Davies during his first over.

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Jason Roy and Kumar Sangakkara added 60 for the second wicket, neither looking in much trouble, before the pair fell in quick succession.

The Sri Lankan edged through to Lewis McManus off Gareth Andrew, while Roy was tangled into confusion by a Liam Dawson spinner.

Arun Harinath departed soon after, teeing a sweep up to Sean Ervine at slip, as Surrey faltered to 72 for four.

But a 130-run partnership between Ben Foakes and Zafar Ansari kept the visitors well in the game.

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The duo scored at a similar rate to score fifties, in 48 and 72 balls respectively, before Ansari was bowled by Tino Best for 62.

Foakes departed soon for 72 after as young wicketkeeper McManus picked Mason Cranes’ googly to stump the out of ground batsman.

A Crane delivery hit Tom Curran and rolled back onto his stumps without managing to make a bail to nudge off.

He took his luck by scoring 55 with his brother Sam before clipping a scoop up to short fine leg.

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But from a winning position Hampshire pulled it back when Best only conceded five from the penultimate over and Berg blasted three wickets in four deliveries to kick start their one-day hopes.

Earlier, Jimmy Adams was clean bowled by Sam Curran but the early wicket did not dissuade Alsop as he carefully accumulated runs with James Vince – although luck was on his side as a skied leading edge was hit into the sun, making Curran’s attempt at a catch fruitless.

Vince fired 41 – as he went past 3,000 runs.

Ervine then reached 50 as he put on 116 runs with Alsop from the third wicket.

Academy product Alsop reached his first three figure score in 104 balls and his efforts proved enough for Hampshire in the end.