Nail-biting stuff as Hampshire claim unlikely Vitality Blast win at Somerset

Liam Dawson’s unbeaten 47 guided Hampshire to an improbable four-wicket Vitality Blast victory over Somerset with three balls to spare at Taunton on Friday night.
Hampshire's Lewis McManus celebrates after hitting a six to claim T20 victory over Somerset at Taunton. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty ImagesHampshire's Lewis McManus celebrates after hitting a six to claim T20 victory over Somerset at Taunton. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images
Hampshire's Lewis McManus celebrates after hitting a six to claim T20 victory over Somerset at Taunton. Picture: Harry Trump/Getty Images

The hosts looked favourites to win after Babar Azam marked his home debut with an extraordinary innings of 95 from 61 balls in a total of 172 for three after losing the toss.

A packed crowd saw Hampshire struggle to 96 for four after 14 overs, before a late onslaught from Dawson and James Fuller, who hit three sixes in his 28 off 12 balls, pulled off an amazing success.

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After three overs, Somerset had scored just 10 for the loss of Tom Banton – caught at mid-off trying to loft Chris Wood back over his head.

The power-play ended with the home side on only 30 for one.

Gradually, Azam began to keep pace with partner Peter Trego, but the halfway point of the innings was reached with Somerset on 65 for one.

That became 72 for two when Trego’s middle stump was knocked back by Wood in the 11th over with his score on 35.

Hampshire still had the scoring rate under control when Azam reached a scratchy half-century from 40 balls.

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But if Somerset fans were disappointed in the new overseas recruit at that point, they were soon to see why Azam is regarded among the best young batsmen in the world.

The 15th over saw him launch Chris Morris for two big sixes, while James Hildreth also struck a maximum as the over cost 22.

Hildreth reverse swept a six off Dawson in contributing a typically breezy 28, before being yorked by Morris, who bowled the 18th over for just four runs.

Azam then produced an extraordinary back-foot shot to hit Kyle Abbott for six over wide long-off.

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Now he was in full flow and helped Somerset add 24 from the last two overs before leaving the arena to a standing ovation.

Hampshire were well in the game, but lost three wickets in the power-play – two of them to Jerome Taylor.

The West Indian seamer had Rilee Rossoux caught by the diving Max Waller at mid-off and Sam Northeast taken at short mid-wicket in bowling his first two overs for seven runs.

The key wicket of James Vince was sandwiched in between, caught at short cover for only a single off Craig Overton.

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At 42 for three after seven overs the required run-rate had risen to more than 10.

Aneurin Donald hit a six and half a dozen fours before being caught at mid-off from the final ball of the 13th over, sent down by Lewis Gregory.

Morris hit Overton for two sixes in the 15th over, but Somerset looked sure to win until Taylor conceded 24 off the 17th over, with Fuller smashing three sixes.

Suddenly Hampshire looked favourites as Dawson lofted the previously economical Roelof van der Merwe over deep square for six to leave 18 needed from two overs.

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Fuller was caught behind for 28 off the first ball of the 19th, bowled by Gregory, but Taylor had only eight runs to play with when sending down the last and a Lewis McManus six clinched an unlikely win.

THE TURNING POINT: James Fuller is no stranger to big-hitting and his three sixes off Jerome Taylor in the 17th over gave Hampshire a first glimmer of hope having been largely outplayed to that point.

SHOT OF THE DAY: When Kyle Abbott dropped slightly short in the 19th over, Azam went onto the back foot and played through the line, sending the ball soaring over long-off for six.

UNSUNG HERO: Aneurin Donald – When three wickets went down in Hampshire’s power-play the opener had to rein himself back, but his 48 proved invaluable in setting up the late swing in fortunes.

WHAT’S NEXT: Hampshire have no game until next Thursday night when they take on Essex at Chelmsford.