Tailenders threaten but Lancs beaten

BRAD Wheal returned career-best List A figures of five for 47 as Hampshire secured a nervy 11-run victory over Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford, a result that greatly strengthens their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Wheal, who was playing only his second game back after long-term injury, held a predominantly youthful visiting attack together in a tense finish, dismissing Tom Aspinwall, Will Williams and Jack Morley as Lancashire's tailenders threatened to steal the two points Having seen their batsmen posted only 234 in their innings, Hampshire's bowlers may have considered the odds slightly against them, but Scott Currie took two for 41 and none of Nick Gubbins' young bowlers let him down as Hampshire fought back to secure a deserved victory.

Opting to use the same pitch on which they lost to Leicestershire Foxes last Friday, Lancashire had restricted the visitors to a modest total, riches that seemed improbable when Hampshire were 131 without loss in the 24th over.

Both Gubbins and Fletcha Middleton reached 50 for the third time in five matches in this year's competition and the openers put on 131 before Hampshire lost three wickets in 11 balls.