Fraser Hay hammered Portsmouth’s highest Southern Premier League innings for 18 years as Hambledon’s losing streak continued at St Helens.
The West Australian struck a glorious unbeaten 163 in a five-wicket success that lifted the city side back into the second tier’s top four ahead of Saturday's visit to leaders Basingstoke & North Hants.
Hay, who captains Melville in Perth's WACA Premier cricket, smacked 18 fours and nine sixes in his 108-ball innings as Portsmouth stormed past Hambledon's 262-5 with almost 12 overs to spare.
He shared a third wicket stand of 51 with James Christian, before putting on 110 for the fifth with Will Smitherman (35).
It was the highest innings by a Portsmouth player in the SPL since Lawrence Prittipaul smote 164 against the Hampshire Academy at The Ageas Bowl’s nursery ground in May 2005.
The highest score since then had been Hay’s 159 against Bournemouth in 2016, the first of his four successive seasons as Portsmouth’s overseas player.
The West Australian struck a glorious unbeaten 163 in a five-wicket success that lifted the city side back into the second tier’s top four ahead of Saturday's visit to leaders Basingstoke & North Hants.
Hay, who captains Melville in Perth's WACA Premier cricket, smacked 18 fours and nine sixes in his 108-ball innings as Portsmouth stormed past Hambledon's 262-5 with almost 12 overs to spare.
He shared a third wicket stand of 51 with James Christian, before putting on 110 for the fifth with Will Smitherman (35).
It was the highest innings by a Portsmouth player in the SPL since Lawrence Prittipaul smote 164 against the Hampshire Academy at The Ageas Bowl’s nursery ground in May 2005.
The highest score since then had been Hay’s 159 against Bournemouth in 2016, the first of his four successive seasons as Portsmouth’s overseas player.
Hambledon, increasingly desperate for a win after back-to-back promotions, earlier made a positive start with Chris Pratt (81) and back-to-form Henry Glanfield (91) sharing a 168-run start.
Pratt hit two sixes and 11 fours before being caught by keeper Sujeeth Daini off the bowling of Carlin Joy. Glanfield, pleasing on the eye when he's in good nick, cracked six fours and five sixes,was then caught by Dan Wimble off the same bowler.
South African Justin Behrens, from the powerful Cape Town club Western Province CC, added 40 off 45 balls as Hambledon posted 262-5 - easily their highest score of the Division 1 season to date.
But Hay’s onslaught ensured they ended up suffering their seventh consecutive loss since arriving in the second tier after back-to-back titles. The Dons remain second bottom, even though cellar dwellers New Milton recorded their first win by beating Ventnor. Their plight wasn't helped by Rowledge winning at Hook & Newnham Basics.
Pratt hit two sixes and 11 fours before being caught by keeper Sujeeth Daini off the bowling of Carlin Joy. Glanfield, pleasing on the eye when he's in good nick, cracked six fours and five sixes,was then caught by Dan Wimble off the same bowler.
South African Justin Behrens, from the powerful Cape Town club Western Province CC, added 40 off 45 balls as Hambledon posted 262-5 - easily their highest score of the Division 1 season to date.
But Hay’s onslaught ensured they ended up suffering their seventh consecutive loss since arriving in the second tier after back-to-back titles. The Dons remain second bottom, even though cellar dwellers New Milton recorded their first win by beating Ventnor. Their plight wasn't helped by Rowledge winning at Hook & Newnham Basics.