PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY WITH HAMPSHIRE IS DRAWN

BALL WINS OVER BAT AS HAMPSHIRE AND MIDDLESEX FRIENDLY IS DRAWN

Definitely a 'two jumpers' day today down in Southampton as both sides' batsmen struggled to come to terms with tough batting conditions at a chilly Ageas Bowl.

Batting first, the hosts allotted 55 over innings was cut some 17 overs short as they were dismissed for just 102 by a Middlesex attack that looked equally as impressive today as it had done yesterday.

Ethan Bamber continued where he left off last season, bowling with great accuracy and penetration to return excellent figures of 2 for 9 from 7 very tidy overs.

Tom Helm and Steven Finn shared four wickets between them, whilst James Harris and Toby Roland-Jones continued to look threatening throughout, as they claimed one wicket apiece.

The leg spin of Nathan Sowter and a run out from the arm of Nick Gubbins accounted for the hosts' other two wickets as Middlesex were set a target of 103 to win in their allotted 35 overs.

In reply the Middlesex batters struggled as much as their Hampshire counterparts however, with only three men making their way into double figures.

With the bowlers enjoying themselves in very friendly conditions, Max Holden (12) and Sowter (12) top scored for Middlesex, with Ollie Rayner hitting 10, as the Middlesex innings closed on 90 for 8 before time brought an end to what could have been a very exciting finish to proceedings.

Former Middlesex man James Fuller would have enjoyed himself today, as on top of hitting Hampshire's top score - an unbeaten 30, he then cashed in with the wickets of Holden, Rayner, George Scott, Robbie White, to finish with fine figures of 4 for 13 from 6 overs.

All in all a very useful two days spent out on the park for both sides, with yesterday proving profitable for some of the batters, and the two days helping to get some early overs into the legs of the bowlers. Plenty of positives to take from this into next week's University clash against Oxford MCCU at Merchant Taylors' School.

Our thanks to Hampshire for hosting us over the last two days!

View today's scorecard here: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#sb43fda10-8b24-434c-8...