![Picture](/uploads/4/8/0/1/48017493/published/fletcha-middleton-100.jpg?1691116100)
Fletcha Middleton produced a classy innings to score his maiden professional century as Hampshire opened their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign up with an 18-run DLS victory over Middlesex.
Opening batter Middleton, who plays for Havant in the ECB Southern Premier League, caressed exactly 100 to continue his breakthrough season at the Ageas Bowl – having become a regular in the LV=Insurance County Championship.
Nick Gubbins and Tom Prest, 40 and 38, also contributed as Hampshire reached 238-5 in their pursuit of 309 before rain brought an early end.
Former Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Ryan Higgins, who played in the famous tied SPL T20 final (against Havant) in 2012, had earlier thrashed a 53-ball 78 as Middlesex totalled 309-7.
Higgins hadn’t played List A cricket since scoring an unbeaten 55 for Gloucestershire against Australia A in 2019, due to his participation in The Hundred. He kicked the innings into gear quickly and mainly targeted the shorter boundary in his 40-ball half-century. He tonked Dom Kelly over long on twice, hammered Felix Organ over his head and slog-swept Gubbins twice.
The latter brought up a century stand with John Simpson – who had largely got out of Higgins’ way – but next ball Higgins was stunningly caught by 17-year-old Eddie Jack, one of three Hampshire Academy teenagers.
With rain around at the end of Middlesex’s innings, temporarily false-starting the start of Hampshire’s and forecast in the area, Middleton and Nick Gubbins kept the DLS par score in close focus and masterfully got themselves ahead of it. Both tried to out do each other on the aesthetics scale with luscious strikes in the V during a high-tempo 74-run partnership.
Middleton was solid in last year’s competition but his increased confidence and maturity was in abundance as he took control of the chase. His first century came in exactly 100 balls and had showcased every aspect of his skill-base – patience, gap-finding, shot-making with a sprinkle of power.
Strong shots
Fletcha Middleton reflected: “It is always nice to start a new competition with a win, especially as we have a very young side. From ball one to the end we said we were going to fight very hard. Their 309 was about 30 over par so we went out with the bat to try and play strong shots from the start for as long as possible.
"“It is a good feeling and I have been told I have one upped my dad [Tony] in List A cricket as well! He never got one. Getting it is a weight off my shoulders and hopefully a first-class one comes soon. That’s one of the main objectives for me. I’ve been opening in the red-ball this season so it was nice to get the nod to open in the white ball as it is slightly easier."
Opening batter Middleton, who plays for Havant in the ECB Southern Premier League, caressed exactly 100 to continue his breakthrough season at the Ageas Bowl – having become a regular in the LV=Insurance County Championship.
Nick Gubbins and Tom Prest, 40 and 38, also contributed as Hampshire reached 238-5 in their pursuit of 309 before rain brought an early end.
Former Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Ryan Higgins, who played in the famous tied SPL T20 final (against Havant) in 2012, had earlier thrashed a 53-ball 78 as Middlesex totalled 309-7.
Higgins hadn’t played List A cricket since scoring an unbeaten 55 for Gloucestershire against Australia A in 2019, due to his participation in The Hundred. He kicked the innings into gear quickly and mainly targeted the shorter boundary in his 40-ball half-century. He tonked Dom Kelly over long on twice, hammered Felix Organ over his head and slog-swept Gubbins twice.
The latter brought up a century stand with John Simpson – who had largely got out of Higgins’ way – but next ball Higgins was stunningly caught by 17-year-old Eddie Jack, one of three Hampshire Academy teenagers.
With rain around at the end of Middlesex’s innings, temporarily false-starting the start of Hampshire’s and forecast in the area, Middleton and Nick Gubbins kept the DLS par score in close focus and masterfully got themselves ahead of it. Both tried to out do each other on the aesthetics scale with luscious strikes in the V during a high-tempo 74-run partnership.
Middleton was solid in last year’s competition but his increased confidence and maturity was in abundance as he took control of the chase. His first century came in exactly 100 balls and had showcased every aspect of his skill-base – patience, gap-finding, shot-making with a sprinkle of power.
Strong shots
Fletcha Middleton reflected: “It is always nice to start a new competition with a win, especially as we have a very young side. From ball one to the end we said we were going to fight very hard. Their 309 was about 30 over par so we went out with the bat to try and play strong shots from the start for as long as possible.
"“It is a good feeling and I have been told I have one upped my dad [Tony] in List A cricket as well! He never got one. Getting it is a weight off my shoulders and hopefully a first-class one comes soon. That’s one of the main objectives for me. I’ve been opening in the red-ball this season so it was nice to get the nod to open in the white ball as it is slightly easier."