Hampshire managed to do something beyond the England cricket team today by beating Australia in a first-class match.
At their Rose Bowl ground, just outside Southampton, Robin Smith's side responded to a bold Australia declaration by scoring 134 for eight, winning by two wickets with nine balls to spare on the third and final day.
It was Hampshire's first victory over Australia in nearly 90 years and injected renewed interest into the Test campaign against England ahead of Thursday's third match at Trent Bridge where Australia, 2-0 up in the series, need just a draw to retain the Ashes.
But only five of the Australia team that won the first two Tests - captain Steve Waugh, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie - were playing against Hampshire.
Australia opener Hayden, Hampshire's overseas player during the 1997 season, made 142 as Australia declared on 389 for nine. Hayden hit two sixes and 21 fours in his 215 ball innings.
Hampshire's success owed much to the Australia declaration. Waugh could easily have chosen to bat on until his team were all bowled out, thereby making a draw more likely. But the Australia captain has repeatedly said he has no interest in draws - and he was as good as his word.
Waugh's declaration left Hampshire needing 133 to win in 26 overs and the Australians continued to play positive cricket by settting attacking fields.
Fast bowler Brett Lee claimed the first three wickets to fall, although he only bowled seven overs in the innings in taking three for 17.
But Hampshire's former Zimbabwe all-rounder Neil Johnson then steadied the ship with 37 as he and Will Kendall put on 48 for the fourth wicket.
Leg-spinner Shane Warne, a Hampshire player last season, then dismissed Kendall (nine) for the first of his four wickets.
Hampshire just managed to keep the run rate going and the match ended when wicket-keeper Iain Brunnschweiler swept off-spinner Colin Miller for four. -AFP