Shedge, Suryakumar power Mumbai to Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title

MP captain Patidar’s unbeaten 40-ball 81 wasn’t enough as Mumbai chased down 175 with 13 balls to spare

Himanshu Agrawal15-Dec-2024Mumbai have yet another star in the making, and yet another trophy in a cabinet which is fast running out of space. Even before the ball landed beyond the straight boundary to confirm victory in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Madhya Pradesh, Suryansh Shedge was leaping and punching the air. He now has three crucial contributions in his last four innings, the latest of which helped Mumbai seal a 175-run chase with 13 balls to spare.Shedge hit an unbeaten 36 off 15 balls while adding an unbroken stand of 51 from 19 deliveries with Atharva Ankolekar, who hit the winning six. Shedge smashed three fours and three sixes during his knock, none more impressive than a six which would have made Suryakumar Yadav proud. The 21-year-old got across to a length ball from Venkatesh Iyer in the 17th over, and nonchalantly swiped him over long leg to all but confirm Mumbai’s second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. He now has knocks of 30* (eight balls), 36* (12) and 36* (15) in three of his last four T20 games.Related

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The chase was set up by Suryakumar and Ajinkya Rahane, who finished as the tournament’s highest run-getter. They took some time to add 52 for the third wicket, but that helped steady Mumbai after they were 47 for 2 in the fifth over. Rahane even got lucky when, off the last ball of the powerplay, he got a leading edge which flew to mid-off, where Rajat Patidar dived to his left only for the ball to escape his grasp.Rahane and Suryakumar built steadily, but with another 110 runs required from 69 balls, Suryakumar accelerated. He scooped and lofted Rahul Batham for four and six. Rahane started the next over by reverse sweeping and pulling Kumar Kartikeya for four. Venkatesh got Rahane for 37 in the 12th over, but Suryakumar bashed Batham for two sixes in the 13th.Rajat Patidar smashed an unbeaten 81 off 40 balls•PTI

Shivam Shukla then had Suryakumar caught at short fine leg for 48. When Shedge and Ankolekar came together Mumbai needed 46 from 32 balls, and the match could have gone either way. But the two ensured the trophy came their way.Earlier, MP needed Patidar, their captain, to make a match out of it. He was only behind Rahane on the runs charts and continued to rake in the runs, cracking an unbeaten 81 off 40 balls with six fours and six sixes. MP were 86 for 5 at the start of the 13th over, but Patidar looked immovable, helping MP score 80 runs in the last seven overs.There was the pull, the loft, the upper cut, the slice, and the swipe to savour for a sizeable Chinnaswamy crowd, as Patidar picked up the pace after managing just nine from as many deliveries at the start. His shots had plenty of power, the ball crashed into the stands, and it made for a fearless display of T20 hitting. But, at the end of the day, Patidar’s heroics were not quite enough.

'$3 million ECB loan a 'helping hand', not condition to tour England'

CWI head Skerritt denies loan was made in context of ICC chairman election

Nagraj Gollapudi12-Jun-2020Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Ricky Skerritt has quashed speculation linking the West Indies tour of England to a US$3 million loan to CWI by the ECB in May, a loan that eventually became the subject of an ICC ethics inquiry. Skerritt also denied that the loan ensured CWI’s backing for Colin Graves – the outgoing ECB head – for the ICC chairman’s position, elections for which are due by July.Skerritt said instead the loan was a “helping hand” given the direness of CWI’s financial situation, one exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Skerritt said CWI was transparent with ICC about the need for a short-term loan, and ECB’s involvement. He said it seemed to him that the issue was being “blown up” for “political” purposes only, mostly by “mischievous persons who have little genuine care for the wellbeing” of cricket.Skerritt said the only pre-condition set for the tour was for the safety and security of his players and once that was assured, the tour would go ahead as it was part of the ICC FTP agreement and the World Test ChampionshipALSO READ: Players travelling to England are in the middle of history – Skerritt“It was just a matter of when the tour would take place and if the ECB could assure the CWI medical experts that the health risk would be minimal to ensure the safety of our players and staff.” Skerritt told ESPNcricnfo on Friday. “Money had nothing to do with our final decision to make this tour. Holding out a hand for a pay-off is not the way CWI does business.”CWI had approached the ICC this April “seeking an advance” of $3 million – an advance that would be taken against the annual distribution the ICC gives member countries twice a year – in January and July.The ICC, it is understood, asked CWI to provide an external audit of future cash flow considering it was going to make the payment three months in advance, a forecast CWI could not provide quickly or with any certainty, given the circumstances of the pandemic were outside its control.Ricky Skerritt is the new CWI president•CWI

Additional pressure on CWI came from pending player match-fee payments, accrued since January this year, as well as the need to pay its staff. The pandemic worsened the situation, as it scuppered the finalisation of the board’s global broadcast partnerships for their home series against New Zealand and South Africa.”We needed cash urgently,” said Skerritt. “The communication [with ICC] was beginning to look like it would take quite long to be approved and CWI had no other reliable source of cash at that time.”It was then Skerritt approached the ECB.”CWI asked ECB if they could make the advance instead, with the ICC providing the security,” he said. “ECB agreed on the basis that ICC would then pay the advance back directly in July. ICC Finance officials were always fully aware of the transparent arrangements and soon became a legal party to the loan agreement.”
‘No intentional violation’ – ICC Ethics Officer
Not everyone was convinced at the ICC, however, and an informal inquiry asked its Ethics Officer to probe any potential impropriety. Both the probe and the Ethics Officer’s clean chit were not made public. However according to the Indo-Asian News Service, the enquiry was set up at the behest of ICC chairman Shashank Manohar who is reported to have asked the question internally of whether it was related to the upcoming elections to the ICC chairman’s post. According to the IANS, the Ethics Officer received the request on April 30.The Ethics Officer concluded there was no “intentional violation” committed by either of the two boards. He said that it was “clear beyond any doubt” that the CWI and ECB arrangement was “in accordance with their pressing and necessary business and cricket” reasons.”I attest that I do not believe the loan was made or received in the context of, or in relation with the matter of the forthcoming election for a new ICC Chairperson,” the officer stated.‘This is all political’“The negative result of the ICC ethics investigation was predictable,” Skerritt said. “The investigation upset me personally because of the risk to my own integrity, especially when it began to look like I was a collateral damage. And it was extremely unfair to Colin [Graves], who was responding to CWI’s request to expedite an advance which ICC would likely have given anyhow. The loan funds were meant for our working capital to keep CWI going for the period between then and when we are due to get the next ICC distribution money from the ICC in mid-July.”According to Skerritt this was not the first time CWI had borrowed money from another Full Member country. When he took charge in 2019 Skerritt said CWI had been saddled with a US$6 million loan it had taken in 2016 from the ICC and a similar US$2million advance in 2018 from the Bangladesh Cricket Board. “I was not [CWI] president at the time when we borrowed money from Bangladesh, and I have no idea if it was followed by an ICC ethics investigation then as well.””There are too many people in and around cricket who are more concerned about politics than about cricket,” he added. “That’s what this is about. It is being blown up for political purposes only, mostly by mischievous persons who have little genuine care for the wellbeing of cricket.”

Sam Billings takes break to "refresh" after England omission

Liam Plunkett also ‘gutted’ after being overlooked for South Africa tour

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Dec-2019Sam Billings will not put his name forward for any T20 franchise action this winter after missing out on England’s white-ball squads in South Africa, but says that his disappointment will provide an opportunity to “freshen up” ahead of the new English season with Kent.Billings has endured a chastening year on the fringes of England selection. He had been a frontrunner for a World Cup berth this summer, but was cruelly ruled out of contention after dislocating his shoulder during his first appearance of the season.Then, in the absence of a number of senior players including Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali, Billings was named vice-captain for last month’s T20 series in New Zealand –  a huge vote of confidence – but was unable to make his presence felt with just 34 runs in five innings, albeit with three not-outs.Billings will now turn his attention back to Kent where, as captain, he returned to action in August and impressed in the closing rounds of the County Championship, scoring three hundreds in consecutive innings, including two in the match against Yorkshire at Headingley – form that might yet lead to a role with England Lions when they head to Australia in the New Year.Away from England duty, he chose not to put his name forward for next week’s IPL auction after being released by Chennai Super Kings back in November. He has previously featured in the Pakistan Super League for Islamabad United, and for Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash. “All the best to the lads heading to South Africa,” Billings wrote on Twitter. “Huge amount of depth esp in the white ball game atm. Of course disappointed not to be involved but wish the boys all the best. Will be working hard to get back in the mix (in all formats) in the near future!”On a personal level, I have chosen to pull out of any franchise cricket this winter as well to focus/freshen up for a big year with @KentCricket. Very fortunate to have played all over the last few years & a break from the game to refresh I feel is the best decision.”Another man on the sidelines this winter is Liam Plunkett, England’s unsung hero of the World Cup final – which, at the age of 34, may now prove to have been his final match in international cricket.Having been overlooked for a central contract in September, Plunkett possibly anticipated his omission from both squads, but nevertheless took to Twitter to register his disappointment.”Gutted not to be involved in the England odi squad,” he wrote.

Glenn Maxwell takes break to deal with 'difficulties with his mental health'

“Glenn was proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with support staff”

Andrew McGlashan31-Oct-2019Glenn Maxwell has been praised for his “courage” after opting to step away from the game due to mental health reasons. He confided in Australia men’s head coach Justin Langer before the opening game of the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, in Adelaide, that he was struggling, with Langer saying there were times over the last 12 months when he thought things might not be quite right for him.No timeframe has yet been put on Maxwell’s spell away, but he will certainly miss the rest of the T20I matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He will have further assessments with the Cricket Australia doctors and psychologist over the coming days, with his proactivity in seeking out help being praised.Maxwell played the opening two matches of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, hitting 62 off 28 balls in the first fixture in Adelaide and not getting a chance to have a hit in the second, in Brisbane. It was during training on the eve of the first T20I that Langer pressed Maxwell on his well-being, and discussions had begun before the team members were informed about the matter at the conclusion of the game in Brisbane.”There’s been a few times over the last 12 months where I’ve suspected that he was probably battling a little bit, but mainly in Adelaide last week before the first game,” Langer said. “A few little things just weren’t quite adding up. I just asked how he was going and he said, ‘No, I’m not going that well actually’. I’m pleased he feels he has got that trust in the environment to be able to do that and he has got to do some work now to get himself right.”Langer said that Maxwell was “not having that much fun at the moment” and that his upbeat outward persona, which had been on show during the first two matches, including when on mic for the host broadcaster, were a “mask”.”It took great courage to tell us that he wasn’t okay,” Langer said. “Behind the mask of the great entertainer and the great talent and the great team man and everything we see publicly – a lot of these guys, they are human and they are hurting a bit. Hopefully, he’ll be fine.”Even though in Adelaide he had that brilliant innings and he fielded like a genius like he can, I don’t think he got much joy out of it to be honest and that’s not much fun. Not just doing to win games of cricket, you have to have fun while you do it. He’s probably not having as much fun as he would have liked at the moment, even though he had a smile on his face when he played.”That’s the mask he puts on; it’s his armour, his energy and the way he plays. He is the great entertainer but underneath the mask – you probably just sense it. When you build relationships with people, you sense when they’re not quite right.”Maxwell has played and travelled extensively over the last 12 months including stints in county cricket either side of the World Cup on the back of the last Australia summer and tours to India and the UAE.”I think just mentally and physically it’s exhausting and we’ve always got to try and find the balance,” Langer said. “That’s part of the world we live in now and I’m sure that’s a part of how he’s feeling.”Team psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd said, “Glenn Maxwell has been experiencing some difficulties with regards to his mental health. As a result, he will spend a short time away from the game. Glenn was proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with the support staff.”Ben Oliver, the executive general manager of the national teams, said: “The well-being of our players and staff is paramount. Glenn has our full support. Cricket Australia will work collaboratively with Cricket Victoria’s support staff to ensure Glenn’s well-being and his reintegration into the game.”We ask that everyone gives Glenn and his family and friends space; and respects their privacy at this time. He is a special player and an important part of the Australian cricket family. We hope to see him back in the team during the summer. It’s important we look after Glenn and all our players.”D’Arcy Short has been called up as a replacement and will join the squad on Friday ahead of the final T20I against Sri Lanka, at the MCG. Australia then face Pakistan in three T20Is starting on Sunday in Sydney.

Axar Patel gains county contract with Durham

The left-arm spin-bowling allrounder is the third Indian player after Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron to bag a county cricket contract in 2018

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-2018Bolstering the list of India cricketers opting to play county cricket in the 2018 season, left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Axar Patel has signed up with Durham for the final six County Championship fixtures. He will make his debut on August 19 against Glamorgan in Cardiff.Axar’s joining of the club comes close on the heels of India captain Virat Kohli receiving permission from the BCCI to play county cricket this summer, ahead of India’s five-Test tour of England in August. The other India players to turn out for county sides this season include Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron, who will be playing for Yorkshire, Sussex and Leicestershire respectively. R Ashwin, who played for Worcestershire last season, is the also likely to feature in county cricket, although he has yet to zero in on a team.Axar, 24, will be on hand for Durham’s three home games against Northamptonshire, Sussex and Middlesex, before wrapping up his stint with away games against Leicestershire and Warwickshire.Axar, who made his first-class debut in 2012, for Gujarat, has collected 79 wickets in the format, including 14 for India A in two matches against South Africa A in 2015. His only first-class hundred – an unbeaten 110 – came against Baroda in 2016, in addition to his ten half-centuries that form part of his 1,163 first-class runs.In his 49 limited-overs appearances for India, he has struck 249 runs and picked up 54 wickets. His work with the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL has fetched him 606 runs and 59 wickets at an average of 20.20 and 26.81 respectively.

Pietersen, Coleman lift Melbourne Stars to first win

Renegades, however, took a blow after the loss. They’re not precariously positioned at eight points with two other teams

The Report by Alex Malcolm12-Jan-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsBetter late than never. Melbourne Stars finally broke their tournament duck with a comfortable 23-run win over a depleted Melbourne Renegades at Docklands stadium.The Stars had been yearning for their senior players to step up and Kevin Pietersen and Peter Handscomb answered the call. Their 110-run second-wicket partnership underpinned the Stars total, which still might have been under par were it not for a whirlwind finish from Glenn Maxwell.They finally took wickets in the Powerplay with a new opening bowling combination in Daniel Worrall and Jackson Coleman running through a Renegades top-order that struggled in the absence of Aaron Finch and Cameron White.The Renegades tournament chances took a blow with the loss. They not only have to find contributors with the bat beyond Finch and White, they will also lose their best spinner Mohammad Nabi to international duty. Nabi bowled beautifully again conceding less than seven an over for the sixth time in the tournament.Long live King KevPietersen’s returns this season have been far from dismal but they have been underwhelming by his lofty standards. Some quality starts have been left uncharacteristically unfinished. His intent to rectify that was clear. He entered in the fourth ball of the innings after Mohammad Nabi removed Ben Dunk for a first ball globe. Pietersen took his time to adjust to the slow surface, scoring just 10 off his first 11 balls. But he still controls the game better than most and puts bowlers under extreme pressure. He was invited to hit over mid-on against the turn of Jon Holland and duly did it twice. He created width from Jack Wildermuth and pierced backward point in consecutive balls. He destroyed Brad Hogg with slog sweeps and pull shots to anything fractionally overpitched or underpitched. He raced to fifty in 28 balls and kicked on. Handscomb was the perfect foil, feeding him the strike and finding the boundary at regular intervals. The pair added 110 from just 70 balls before both men holed out in back-to-back overs.The diminishing finisherJames Faulkner made a name for himself in international cricket as an exceptional power-hitting finisher in limited overs formats. But his BBL to-date has not matched his reputation. He has not been dismissed in his six innings, scoring 118 runs in total. However, he is only striking at 107 compared to his career rate of 124. He also averages a boundary every 9.5 deliveries across his career. He’s faced 25 balls without a boundary across the last three games. That included the 12 balls he faced against the Renegades. He was fortunate Glenn Maxwell caught fire in the last four overs pounding two sixes and two fours in his 16-ball unbeaten 31. But it was the second time in the tournament the Stars have failed to double their total after 10 overs having been only one wicket down at halfway. Part of that was due to Nabi who bowled his last two overs during the last seven of innings, having bowled his first two in the Powerplay. His figures of 2 for 15 were incredible given the carnage around him.Where’s Worrall been?The Stars pace bowling has been a problem all tournament. Worrall replaced Scott Boland, who had conceded 11.20 per over in his three games. Worrall bowled exceptionally well to the Renegades new top three. He swung the ball away prodigiously at good pace from both the right-handed Tim Ludeman and the left-handed Marcus Harris. He conceded just six runs from his first 11 deliveries before erring with his last ball to Ludeman. But his build-up of pressure helped Coleman force a mistake from Harris. Coleman bowled very well himself and picked up the rewards courtesy of some outstanding catching from Maxwell and Pietersen. Maxwell reeled a screamer at backward point off Ludeman. He flung his right hand up to knock it down and held onto the rebound. Pietersen needed just one grab with two hands diving high to his right at cover to remove Tom Cooper, although he did grass a similar chance from Matthew Short earlier.Time in the middleThe Renegades had not lost more than one wicket in any powerplay all tournament and had scarcely been under pressure after 10 overs. Cooper’s dismissal left the Renegades 4 for 56 in the 10th. Dwayne Bravo was able to move up the order having only been used in a finishing role during the season to-date. He made 26 from 18 balls and struck one of the most astonishing sixes of the tournament. He hit good length delivery from Faulkner 103m into the upper deck at forward point with a vertical bat. Despite holing out not long after, his innings will provide impetus for the remainder of the tournament. Wildermuth also played a nice cameo, clubbing 23 from 11 deliveries to keep the game interesting. His second six made the equation 33 from 12 balls but he fell three balls later and the tail stood no chance from there.

Khawaja hundred helps Queensland topple Victoria

Usman Khawaja took away the Player-of-the-Match award; Jack Wildermuth and Michael Neser returned combined figures of 7 for 88 in the second innings to take Queensland home

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2017
Scorecardsize: 900•Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Usman Khawaja’s 122, coupled with the seven wickets taken by the pace-bowling duo of Jack Wildermuth and Michael Neser, helped Queensland complete a 110-run rout of Victoria inside three days of the day-night match at the Gabba.Propelled by Khawaja’s first century of the season, which included 16 fours, Queensland posted 311 in their second innings. They might have wanted more, considering they began the day at 5 for 254 but Scott Boland and Chris Tremain knocked them over rather quickly.Victoria needed 329 to win, but were reduced to 5 for 77 in the 26th over with Neser and Wildermuth taking turns in dealing blows to the opposition line-up. The only semblance of resistance from the visitors came in the form of two fifty-plus stands – worth 66 and 52 runs respectively – as Daniel Christian partnered captain Peter Handscomb and Tremain for the sixth and seventh wickets. They could only delay the inevitable though. Victoria slumped from 6 for 195 to 219 all out in the space of 10 overs.Peter Siddle, in the frame for the upcoming Ashes, had a decent game. He took the new pink ball, got through 37 overs and picked up a couple of wickets as well. Khawaja was the biggest gainer, his 21st first-class century adding to the belief that he will line up against England at No. 3.Glenn Maxwell couldn’t get past 20 in either innings. And though Matt Renshaw had a similarly unproductive outing for Queensland, scoring 17 and 16, he did ensure he was at the crease for a total of 112 deliveries.

No discussions on mini-IPL yet – Shukla

The IPL governing council did not formally discuss the alternative to Champions League Twenty20

Amol Karhadkar08-Jul-2015The IPL governing council did not formally discuss the alternative to Champions League Twenty20. The tournament is likely to be scrapped next month and the BCCI is mulling an eight-team mini-IPL to fill the gap.”There was no discussion on CLT20 scrapping. That decision can only be taken at CLT20 governing council which also includes Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa,” IPL chairman Rajiv Shula said in New Delhi.But according to an IPL governing council member said they were informally told that the BCCI was considering an eight-team IPL that will be crunched into two weeks. The proposal will be formally tabled before the governing council only after the working committee, who will meet later this month or early in August, to decide on the Champions League T20’s future.While it was too early to discuss the likely venues for the eight-team league-cum-knockout tournament, the members were hinted that the United Arab Emirates could be an option. UAE had been proposed as a permanent venue for CLT20 after it had successfully hosted the first phase of matches in IPL 2014.Shukla also added that the issue of Chennai Super Kings’ low valuation was not discussed since the working committee in April had decided to seek legal advice on the issue. The BCCI has asked an independent valuer to suggest Super Kings’ market value. That report would be discussed in the next working committee meeting.The governing council also decided not to alter the present retention formula for IPL 2016. But ahead of the 2017 edition, maximum number of players allowed to be retained could be brought down to four from the existing five.

Australia act on player drain with 'Robson rule'

Cricket Australia approved regulatory changes that will allow dual passport holders to play domestic matches in more than one country

Daniel Brettig16-Aug-2013European football had Bosman transfers, English cricket has Kolpak players, and now Australia has passed the Sam Robson rule. At a board meeting on Friday, Cricket Australia approved regulatory changes that will allow dual passport holders to play domestic matches in more than one country.This has effectively freed Robson from having to choose between New South Wales and Middlesex, allowing him to represent both as England and Australia compete for his international loyalties. The player is not thought to have made any written guarantees to England that he will commit his international future to them.It was not only Robson who had a new future opened up for him by the changes, as numerous cricketers who had given up their first-class careers in Australia to play as locals in England are once more eligible to play in the Sheffield Shield, limited overs and Big Bash League competitions.These include the West Australian seam bowler Michael Hogan the NSW batsman Phil Jaques and the Queensland teenager Sam Hain, who joined Warwickshire this year.”The Board has endorsed changes to the definition of an Overseas Player for Australian domestic competitions,” a CA spokesman said. “The changes are designed to allow Australian players who have dual passports to play in more than one domestic competition. CA wants as many quality cricketers playing in its domestic competitions as possible. These changes will allow Australian players with dual passports to play first-class cricket in more than one country.”A number of Australian-qualified cricketers currently playing in ECB competitions in particular are doing so as a local player, meaning if they play in Australia during the summer they need to do so as an overseas player to retain their ECB eligibility. However, CA’s current overseas player definition prevents someone born in Australia, or holding a valid Australian passport, from qualifying to play here as an overseas player.”Changes approved today will ensure state associations and BBL teams will be able recruit Australian players without them having to give up their eligibility to play overseas as a local player. It will remove the burden on these players to choose which domestic competition to play in.”Robson, whose mother hails from Nottingham, previously could not be chosen for New South Wales as a domestic player because although he was born in Australia he played county cricket on a British passport.While the changes have greatly enhanced Australia’s chances of being able to consider Robson in the future, England may also be able to offer him a chance to play first-class matches during the forthcoming southern summer. An outside chance to be named as a reserve opening batsman in the Ashes squad proper, Robson would be a likely choice for the England Lions squad scheduled to shadow the Test touring party over the course of the series.Alternatively, Robson may now head home to Sydney at the conclusion of the English summer and turn out first for the Blues’ Futures League team, and from there earn selection in the NSW Shield XI for the start of the season. In past seasons he has simply played club cricket while ineligible for first-class duty, but given Australia’s current lack of strong batting stock Robson would need only to replicate his consistent scoring for Middlesex to quickly enter international contention.England’s national team has benefitted considerably from the lure of their professional circuit, particularly to South African players who have gone on to qualify for England. The flood of Kolpak players, who are allowed to play county cricket under European Community free labour regulations, has been reduced, however, after a ruling in 2008 enabled the Home Office to introduce a four-year work-permit qualification on players outside the EU.

Ervine leads Hants to dramatic win

Hamza Riazuddin struck the winning runs from the penultimate ball of the match to give Hampshire a dramatic victory in their rain-affected match against Glamorgan.

22-Apr-2012
ScorecardSean Ervine made 75 to lead Hampshire’s drama-filled final evening chase•Getty Images

Sean Ervine led a dramatic Hampshire chase as they beat Glamorgan with a ball to spare in Cardiff. His 75 got his side close to the winning line before Hamza Riazuddin struck the winning runs to give Hampshire a dramatic victory in a rain-affected match.Riazuddin held his nerve as the match came down to the visitors needing two runs from the final two balls. But much of the credit for the Hampshire win had to go to Ervine, who navigated his side into a winning position with a 92-ball innings before perishing 13 balls from the end.Hampshire won by two wickets to take 19 points from the match to Glamorgan’s three. It was Glamorgan’s third straight defeat to leave them firmly rooted to the bottom of the Division Two table.Play did not resume on the fourth day until 4.15pm because of persistent showers throughout the morning and afternoon sessions. But eventually the rain relented enough to allow for 28 overs to be bowled with Hampshire resuming on 112 for 4 in pursuit of 204.With the ninth ball after the resumption Huw Waters had Michael Bates leg before to leave Hampshire 112 for 5. But just as new batsman Michael Carberry, batting with a runner for a groin injury, arrived on the outfield he had to come off as more rain arrived at the ground.After another loss of 10 overs play resumed again at 5pm with Hampshire needing 92 from 16.3 overs. Despite being injured Carberry cut Jim Allenby for two fours before he was bowled behind his legs by Waters.But Hampshire still had hope of knocking off the runs while Ervine, who reached his half-century from 67 balls with seven fours, was still there along with Chris Wood, who was not shy of a few lusty blows. Wood’s third four ensured Hampshire needed 40 from the remaining eight overs.He was then brilliantly caught by Will Bragg low down on the long-leg boundary off Wagg to leave Hampshire still needing 31 from 5.2 overs. But the pressure was taken off the visitors’ chase when Ervine struck Moises Henriques for three successive fours which included a fortuitous Chinese cut. It left Hampshire needing 16 off the final four overs.There was more drama as wicketkeeper Mark Wallace took a steepling catch to remove dangerman Ervine. But Riazuddin and Danny Briggs held their nerve to knock off the remaining 14 runs from 13 balls.

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