Hampshire Hawks need 164 for victory after a half-century from Australian Stuart Law rescued the Lancashire Lightning innings as the home side struck early on at the Rose Bowl. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Lancashire had lost Glenn Chapple (10) and David Byas (2) by the sixth over as Dimitri Mascarenhas and Alan Mullally both struck.

Chapple, opening along with Mark Chilton was the first to go. The pinch-hitter was held by Robin Smith in the covers as Mascarenhas claimed his first wicket of the day/night match. When David Byas was bowled by Mullally, Hampshire were on top and Lancashire stumbled to 20/2 and needed a mainstay to ensure they did not crumble. That they found with Law but, as wickets continued to fall, Lancashire needed more that one man.

Chilton was on 10 when he edged Mascarenhas to wicket-keeper Nick Pothas who held on to a spectacular diving catch one handed to his right. The ball was too close to his body for the intended cut. Neil Fairbrother had failed to open his account when he was caught by Zimbabwean Neil Johnson to leave his side on 55/4.

Law continued to bat sensibly and with Graham Lloyd put on 47 for the fifth wicket. The latter took a liking to Johnson, punishing him for four in consecutive balls as he looked to push the run rate on. By the 27th over, however, Lancashire would have been doubting their decision to bat, losing both Lloyd (25) and Warren Hegg (0) within the space of a few deliveries.

Gary Yates came in to partner the defiant Law and soon compiled a valuable 40 parternship before Johnson replied with two quick wickets. He had Law - whose batting had been a life- saver until then - caught by Smith for 66 and then celebrated the fall of Yates for 17 when he was caught by Derek Kenway.

The tail-enders failed to offer any sort of resistance and Lancashire were back in the pavillion when Peter Martin was caught behind off the bowling of Chris Tremlett with his side on a seemingly below-par 163. However, on this pitch offering generous movement to the seamers, it might yet prove to be a difficult target for the Hawks to reach.

© CricInfo