Hampshire’s Director of Cricket, Giles White was purring with satisfaction after watching teenage duo Tom Prest and Fletcha Middleton sweep the Academy to a nine-wicket Southern Premier League Cup win over Alton with a near century unbeaten partnership.
Prest (left) hit 86 not out and Middleton an unbeaten 44 as the county youngsters chased down Alton’s 174 with seven overs to spare.
“Watching those two lads bat was like seeing James Vince and Liam Dawson at that age,” he beamed.
Opener Prest struck three sixes and eight fours, with Middleton joining him at the crease after the Dorset teen had shared a 77-run start with Hartley Wintney raised Harry Broderick (33), who earlier excelled with the ball.
Broderick took 3-28, Millfield seamer Dominic Kelly 3-16 and Ben Huntley 2-35 as Alton lost their first six wickets for 46 runs.
Mark Heffernan (61) and Jack Myers (39) came to the rescue with a stand of 96 for the seventh wicket. With support from the tail, Alton progressed to 174 – but that improved total still proved easy pickings for the Academy side.
Prest (left) hit 86 not out and Middleton an unbeaten 44 as the county youngsters chased down Alton’s 174 with seven overs to spare.
“Watching those two lads bat was like seeing James Vince and Liam Dawson at that age,” he beamed.
Opener Prest struck three sixes and eight fours, with Middleton joining him at the crease after the Dorset teen had shared a 77-run start with Hartley Wintney raised Harry Broderick (33), who earlier excelled with the ball.
Broderick took 3-28, Millfield seamer Dominic Kelly 3-16 and Ben Huntley 2-35 as Alton lost their first six wickets for 46 runs.
Mark Heffernan (61) and Jack Myers (39) came to the rescue with a stand of 96 for the seventh wicket. With support from the tail, Alton progressed to 174 – but that improved total still proved easy pickings for the Academy side.
