Report Liam Dawson turns up the heat to seal Hampshire's high-speed run-chase Kent battle back to post 180-run final-afternoon target, but it is hunted down in style ECB Reporters Network 03-Jul-2024 • 25 mins ago Liam Dawson steers into the off side • PA Images via Getty Images Hampshire 505 for 8 dec (Vince 211, Brown 110, Evison 4-83) and 180 for 4 (Dawson 56*) beat Kent 343 and 340 (Compton 92, Finch 84, Leaning 43, Abbott 5-89) trail by six wickets Liam Dawson produced a remarkable innings of 56 in 29 balls to give Hampshire a sensational six-wicket in the Vitality County Championship victory over Kent. Hampshire were given 179 runs to chase in 31 overs, and after Toby Albert, Fletcha Middleton and James Vince had given them a flyer, Dawson made it a cakewalk. His two sixes and seven fours meant he completed the win in 23 overs to keep Hampshire in the title race with three wins in their last four matches.
Kyle Abbott had taken a five-wicket haul while 84-maker Harry Finch had frustrated the hosts, but Kent remain winless in the Championship since May 3. Middleton and Albert remained as openers but hit their T20 switch to put on 41 in seven overs - coloured in with Middleton clearing long-on and Albert scooping Grant Stewart over the ropes. Albert edged behind but Vince carried on the momentum with 32 off 21 - which included a humungous slog sweep six.
But Vince was yorked and Middleton was bamboozled by a pea-roller either side of a rain delay which lost one over. N.
