James Vince’s latest half-century leads way in Hampshire’s highest-ever chase
ECB Reporters Network23-Jun-2023James Vince proved Essex’s nemesis again as his seventh fifty of the competition underpinned defending champions Hampshire Hawks’ highest-ever Vitality Blast chase.Feroze Khushi and Dan Lawrence – who is Surrey-bound at the end of the season – had blitzed 127 for the first wicket, hitting 61 and 70 respectively, as Essex posted 209 for 7.Vince had struck a century in the reverse fixture at Chelmsford earlier in the season and smashed 76 before James Fuller’s 57 and Benny Howell’s 34 not out got Hawks over the line.It condemned Essex to their third straight defeat and put Hampshire level on 14 points with Eagles with the four-wicket victory, with a superior run-rate.Related
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Chasing 210, Ben McDermott was caught in the fourth over by Paul Walter – which gave him his 13th catch of the season, an Essex T20 record – with Toby Albert also falling in the powerplay. But Hampshire were still on top of the chase, with Vince timing the ball sweetly on his way to a 24-ball fifty.Joe Weatherley and Ross Whiteley came and went but James Fuller stuck with Vince to keep up with the rate in a 50-run stand. Vince’s attempt for a fourth six only picked out safe hands Walter at long off in an over which only went for five runs from Critchley.If that felt like a turning point, Fuller and Howell swung it back in Hawks’ favour with some outrageous hitting and a bit of luck – both were dropped during their time at the crease.Fuller’s fifty came off 27 balls and he celebrated with a huge six over long-on to take the equation to nine off eight balls, although was yorked next ball to end a 63-run stand off 31 balls. But Liam Dawson came in swatted a six first ball with the last three runs coming with four balls to spare.
Hawks: 23-0 (2)
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— Hampshire Hawks (@hantscricket) June 23, 2023