CRICKET/Hampshire v Ireland: Ireland made Shane Warne's powerful Hampshire team work hard for their victory at the Rose Bowl yesterday, on a rain-affected day in Southampton.
Following a heavy downpour during the interval, Ireland's total was reduced from 221 to 175, the Duckworth Lewis calculation giving Hampshire 29 overs to meet their target. They reached it with just four balls to spare, with eight wickets in hand. Had Ireland not conceded 26 extras, including 13 wides, the game may well have been theirs.
Earlier in the day, Trent Johnston hit a thrilling 52 off 36 balls, including three towering sixes, and shared an unbeaten partnership of 63 with Kyle McCallan. It vindicated Johnston's decision to bat on a murky morning at the Rose Bowl.
His opposite number, Warne, made some late additions to the card: Kevin Pietersen (number one batsman in ODI cricket), Stuart Clark (leading Ashes wicket taker in the winter) and Chris Tremlett (one of the most promising young quick bowlers in county cricket). Not a bad subs bench.
Batting was never easy under low cloud and against such a high-class attack. Stuart Clark bowls a line that never allows the batsmen to settle. He and Jeremy Bray share some history. They played in the same New South Wales team over 10 years ago, against Transvaal and a touring New Zealand side.
It was Clark who won out yesterday as he had his former team-mate caught behind off a ball that left him. William Porterfield played with as much freedom as the conditions allowed, pulling Clark to the square leg boundary before being caught by Warne.
The Ireland middle order had a different look to it in the absence of the injured Andre Botha, who sees a specialist in Dublin this week to determine whether he will be fit for the Intercontinental Cup final starting on May 22nd.
Kevin O'Brien came in first wicket down with Peter Gillespie at four. This was a smart move as both players showed form against Somerset the previous day. Gillespie got a reception to remember from Clark who bowled a delivery that spat off a good length, and followed it up with two sharp bouncers, one of which forced the Strabane player to fall backwards.
Warne remains a delight to watch. His reputation alone seemed to account for Kevin O'Brien who top edged into midwicket's hands.
Nanty Hayward, who opened Ireland's attack, trapped the left-handed Michael Lumb in front for 6, to much head shaking from the batsman.
At 35, another wicket fell, to Dave Langford Smith, and the game was in the balance. It brought Pietersen to centre stage, to the surprise of many of the locals - this was his first appearance for Hampshire since the corresponding fixture last year.
Cue the partnership that won the game, as the South African-born player cruised to 66 off 71 balls, playing with little of his trademark extravagance. His partner, Sean Ervine, made 67 off 74. It was a clinical display of batting from a side who may go close to winning the tournament.
