Hampshire recorded a comprehensive Frizzell Championship victory over Kent, with a day to spare at The Rose Bowl. It was their first championship victory over the hop county for 8 years.

Paul Nixon who has often been a thorn in the Hampshire's side held the home side up with a belligerent 77*, and on the way to saving the innings defeat and setting a target he was aided first by Ed Smith (77) and then by Min Patel.

Patel was particularly harsh on Shaun Udal, his innings of 58 included a hugh six into the members new pavilion and seven well struck fours, it was to end when predictably with the second new ball Alan Mullally sent his middle stump cartwheeling. Amjad Khan also showed some resistance to the Hampshire bowlers, but with tea threatening Johnson and Mascarenhas mopped up the tail to set Hampshire "nelson" 111 for victory.

Despite losing Will Kendall at 17, the target was easily obtained with John Crawley showing his class with a well struck 50, and Giles White batting at four for Smith who was nursing a bruised finger, a sprightly 27.

It is interesting to note that Hampshire's previous Championship win over Kent in 1994 contained three of the Hampshire side that played in this match (Smith, White and Udal) and two of the Kent XI (Fleming and Patel).

© Hampshire Cricket