Fuller’s hat-trick helps Hampshire to astonishing Bob Willis Trophy win against Surrey at Arundel

Fast bowler Fuller (4-17) dismissed Laurie Evans, Gus Atkinson and Morne Morkel in successive deliveries to take Hampshire’s first hat-trick since Kyle Abbott against Worcestershire two years ago.

The feat came as Hampshire bowled Surrey out for an astonishing 74 to win by an innings and 52 runs at Arundel.

It is the lowest completed first class innings against the county since Gloucestershire were routed for just 48 in Portsmouth in 1989.

Three years earlier Surrey had been skittled for 64 at May’s Bounty, Basingstoke.

Fuller is only the fourth Hampshire player to have taken a first class hat-trick in the 21st century - the others were Chris Tremlett against Notts at Trent Bridge in 2005 and Billy Taylor against Middlesex at The Ageas Bowl 12 months later.

Co-incidentally, Taylor was also on the pitch - he was one of the umpires - to see Fuller join him in Hampshire’s hat-trick hall of fame.

Hampshire have now won back-to-back matches in the competition and took 21 points from the contest, while winless Surrey claimed three.

Hampshire had been targeting building a big lead, quickly, in the morning before hoping Mason Crane could spin them to victory.

That wasn’t how things materialised.

Firstly, their hopes of expanding their lead was thwarted by rain showers, which lobbed an hour, and 15 overs, out of the proceedings.

Secondly, they lost wickets quickly - and without boosting their lead considerably – as they were bowled out for 298, leading to the draw to become the favourite result.

But their plans were put back on track thanks to some clinical bowling with the new ball – which built pressure – before Fuller produced his magic.

Mark Stoneman was given a life on nought when he was dropped by Tom Alsop at second slip, but at the other end Brad Wheal made the breakthrough when Ryan Patel nicked behind to Lewis McManus.

Alsop made amends for his earlier butterfingers by holding his next chance off Stoneman’s edge.

Will Jacks quickly followed when he was lbw to Ian Holland, who took a six-wicket haul in the first innings.

It only took Mason Crane two deliveries to show off his danger when he pinned Scott Borthwick in front, to leave Surrey 27 for four.

That became 39 for five when England World Cup winner Jason Roy was lbw to Fuller after tea.

It was a precursor for what was to come for Fuller as he turned a potential win into an almost surefire thing.

The former Middlesex all-rounder only bowled two overs in the first innings after he was smashed for 17 off an over, but started his second innings spell with two maidens.

Then he burst into life with the 19th hat-trick in Hampshire history.

His pace did for Sussex loanee Evans, who nicked to Alsop at first slip, before Atkinson was lbw and Morkel turned around to find his off-stump two yards back while leaving.

Amazingly, it wasn’t Fuller’s maiden first-class treble – having taken one for Gloucestershire against Worcestershire in 2013.

After a seven-over blockout from Matt Dunn and Jamie Smith, the former was adjudged lbw to Crane.

And Hampshire's victory was confirmed when Amar Virdi was lbw to Crane (3-19).

Earlier, Alsop had scored a magnificent half century on day three but fell to Virdi for 87 when he edged to Borthwick at first slip.

Came fell two balls later when he was pinned on the crease, before Dunn had Fuller plumb in front with the first ball on the next over and Holland soon chopped on to his own stumps.

Lewis McManus picked out Jason Roy on the square-leg boundary, while debutant Tom Scriven was bowled attempting to yahoo off-spinner Virdi over cow corner.

Virdi now has 14 wickets in the Bob Willis Trophy – the second-best haul for a spinner in the country - after his six for 101.

Dunn rounded off the innings by sending Wheal’s middle stump cart-wheeling, with Crane contributing a run-a-ball 25 not out.