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SPCL Div 1 - Havant and B.A.T. clash in tantilising week
Mike Vimpany - 10 May 2002
Havant are aiming to make it an unlucky 13 for BAT Sports in the clash of the ECB Southern Electric Premier League heavyweights at Southern Gardens, 1pm.
BAT swept to the championship on the strength of 11 successive 'time' and 50-over matches last season, and won their opening game in defence of the title with a 101-run mauling of Liphook & Ripsley last weekend.
But 2000 league winners Havant, edged into last year's runners-up spot, also began the season on a successful note, seeing off newly promoted Portsmouth by 12 runs.
It's certainly a key game - and one that could give either BAT or Havant a head start in the title race.
BAT expect to be unchanged, so evergreen Terry Rawlins, who took 5-29 in the Liphook win, will continue to partner off-spinner Richard Dibden. But two pace bowlers could hold the key to be 50-over contest.
Dan Goldstraw played a hugely significant role, taking 36 wickets in BAT's title triumph last summer.
But Havant have recruited 36-year old South African Malcolm 'Mackie' Hobson, who captured close on 150 wickets playing on the First Class circuit with Natal and Border between 1986 and 1993.
Hobson, who played occasionally for Hambledon at the end of last season, christened his Havant debut by scoring 46 and taking 5-33 in the Portsmouth victory.
Hampshire Development Coach Raj Maru, who faced Hobson last week, described the South African as a "very handy asset for Havant to have."
Havant will, though, be without opening bowler Mark Copping, whose place is expected to go to Steve Benton.
Andover and Calmore Sports, who each raised eyebrows with unexpected victories last weekend, clash at London Road.
Roger Miller leads an unchanged Andover side, but Calmore go into action minus all-rounder Mark Boston, who played a significant part in the thrilling one-run win over Bashley (Rydal). Paul Cass is hoping to get the nod in Tom Pegler's line-up.
"This has all the makings of a tough game," forecasts Miller. "Beating Bashley was an excellent result for the Calmore boys and they'll be up for it when they come to London Road."
John Whiting's long-term hamstring injury continues to concern Bashley (Rydal), who plan to get their challenge on track against Liphook & Ripsley at the BCG.
Whiting, who broke down after 8.5 overs at Calmore last week, expects to play against Liphook, but sit out the following week's visit to Havant.
If Whiting is fit, Bashley will be unchanged and at full-strength against a Liphook side, who went down to a 101-run defeat to BAT, despite knocking over the champions' top order cheaply.
Liphook bring back opener Steve Riley and Jeremy Bulled and, on paper, appear to be fielding a stronger side.
Hampshire's Jimmy Tomlinson, who played for British Universities against Sri Lanka last weekend, strengthens South Wilts at Bournemouth.
The Salisbury visitors will open with an all left-arm seam attack - Tomlinson sharing the new ball with South African Shaun Adam, from Natal.
But Russell Rowe, who hit a defiant 77 in the Andover defeat, will be demanding more support from his top order team-mates. "Chapel Gate is a lovely track to bat on and a few of the other batsmen need to get stuck in and make some runs," says Rowe.
Burridge, whose opener against Bournemouth last week was called off because part of the Botley Road outfield was still saturated, face a demanding test against newly promoted Portsmouth at St Helen's, Southsea.
Portsmouth are strengthened by the return of Geoff Pike, who had a season at Burridge a few years ago.
But the main concern for Paul Ancell's side is expected to come from former Hampshire left-arm spinner Raj Maru and county Under-19 prospect Naqeeb Ali Mohammed, who bowled well in last week's narrow defeat at Havant.
Ben Thane, a potential Hampshire YCs team-mate of Naqeeb's, is set for his Burridge debut.
© SPCL / Daily Echo / Mike Vimpany
| Players/Umpires | Richard Dibden, Daniel Goldstraw, Mackie Hobson, Rajesh Maru, Roger Miller, James Tomlinson, Shaun Adam, Russell Rowe. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |