Bears' run chase falls flat to hand Hampshire the victory

HAMPSHIRE hit back from last week's thrashing by Nottinghamshire in emphatic style with an 89-run Rothesay County Championship win over Warwickshire inside three days at Edgbaston.

- By ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

Set a target of 310, Warwickshire were all out for 220, unpicked by seamers James Fuller (five for 56) and Kyle Abbott (three for 44 - eight for 91 in the match). Alex Davies (66, 106 balls) and Ethan Bamber (43, 78) offered some resistance but the rest were blown away by a Hampshire side resurgent after their surrender at Trent Bridge.

Hampshire's second innings had closed in the morning on 203. Beau Webster took four for 57 and Bamber four for 60 but the match was decided by the visitors outbowling their hosts on a pitch which offered encouragement to seamers throughout.

After Hampshire resumed on 159 for six, already 275 ahead, Bamber quickly struck twice when Brad Wheal edged to second slip and Fuller’s middle-stump was sent flying by an inside-edged slog. Abbott pulled Bamber for six in a handy run-a-ball stand of 32 with Toby Albert (43, 85) before Webster had Albert and John Turner caught behind in three balls.