Sam O'Brien hits a big six [Bob Selly]
Young Australian Sam O’Brien hit an unbeaten 63 and featured strongly in a dramatic tenth-wicket partnership as Sparsholt snatched a nail-biting victory over Southern Premier Division 1 rivals Andover at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Chasing Andover’s 210 all, Sparsholt lost half their wickets for 73 – Mike Adams (3-43), Babu Veettil (2-42) and Aiden Jansen (2-33) doing the damage – but were pulled round by half-century from Dave Banks (50).
At 169-6, the game was in the balance. Then Sparsholt lost three wickets for one run and were back in the mire at 170-9 when last man Dan Weir joined O’Brien for a stand which turned the match.
Hitting eight fours, wicketkeeper O’Brien went on to make 63 not out and Weir a crucial 16 not out – the pair adding 41 to secure a one-wicket victory with eight balls to spare.
Earlier, Hampshire’s Lewis McManus (71) top scored for Andover, sharing an important stand with Charlie Ayres (33) before Michael Haworth (4-33) cut through the lower order.
Chasing Andover’s 210 all, Sparsholt lost half their wickets for 73 – Mike Adams (3-43), Babu Veettil (2-42) and Aiden Jansen (2-33) doing the damage – but were pulled round by half-century from Dave Banks (50).
At 169-6, the game was in the balance. Then Sparsholt lost three wickets for one run and were back in the mire at 170-9 when last man Dan Weir joined O’Brien for a stand which turned the match.
Hitting eight fours, wicketkeeper O’Brien went on to make 63 not out and Weir a crucial 16 not out – the pair adding 41 to secure a one-wicket victory with eight balls to spare.
Earlier, Hampshire’s Lewis McManus (71) top scored for Andover, sharing an important stand with Charlie Ayres (33) before Michael Haworth (4-33) cut through the lower order.
A let off for Sparsholt opener Michael Haworth as Andover miss a slip chance [Bob Selly]
