Joe Weathers heat to lead Hants home

Hampshire opener Joe Weatherley proved to be a man for a crisis as he steered his injury-racked side to victory in a nail-biting run chase at Radlett.

It was a marathon effort from the 23-year-old, who was on the field for all but two hours over four days in temperatures well in excess of 30 degrees.

After missing half of last season after breaking an ankle, Weatherley made up for lost time with two crucial contributions.

His 98 provided the backbone of Hampshire’s first innings, but it was his 64* in the run chase that offered the clearest sign of his growing maturity.

Hampshire were already missing Liam Dawson with a torn Achilles but to compound their injury worries, Keith Barker was hampered by a sore foot which ruled out any quick singles. Ryan Stevenson meanwhile would only be able to bat with a runner after colliding with a marquee pole while fielding.

Hampshire went into the final day though well placed on 60-2 needing a further 98. Fortunes soon tipped in Middlesex’s favour as they pegged the visitors back to 108-7 before Barker joined Weatherley in a tense, unbeaten match-winning partnership.

Hampshire captain Sam Northeast paid tribute: ““Joe’s played two fantastic innings and he’s really showing his potential for the future for Hampshire, which is great. Barks, with his little cameo at the end, was just what was needed to release a little bit of pressure.”

Weatherley, who captained England at Under 19s level, made his Championship breakthrough with a maiden century in 2018. He was justifying the faith shown in him with a run of consistent scores last summer before sustaining a season-ending injury in July.

Northeast said: “It was a hard-fought four days and I think we just about deserved it in the end.

“The team talk [on day four] was to get through that first half hour and go from there. It didn’t quite go to plan and at one stage Middlesex were on top and favourites to win, but it was a fantastic partnership from Weathers and Barks to get us over the line.

“You sort of forget the first three days when it comes down to tight moments like that. Bowlers in the heat have put in a lot of tough work. We lost two key members of our side during the game and it wasn’t easy, but I’m very pleased to get the win.”

Middlesex were left to rue missed opportunities including dropped catches when Hampshire were three down in their first innings. Then they failed to capitalise on Hampshire’s depleted bowling attack and collapsed from 124-2 to 201 all out. Part-time spinner Felix Organ showed his growing potential with the ball, stepping up to take four key wickets.

Skipper Stevie Eskinazi said: “The bowlers did a great job getting us back into the game but hats off to Joe Weatherley and Keith Barker for playing the way they did. Sides bat deep but we knew we had the bowling attack – they’ve done it for us on countless occasions and we thought, on that wicket, we had enough runs.

“The difference in this game is, if one bloke goes on (with the bat), then we’re putting the game to bed. I can’t fault the lads’ effort over the four days. We played some good cricket, but we probably didn’t deserve to win.”

Star man

Joe Weatherley’s twin half-centuries proved to be match-winning efforts as the Hampshire youngster kept a cool head under real pressure.

Key moment

Weatherley and Barker’s 53-run stand, with only the injured Stevenson to come, got Hampshire over the line after five wickets fell on the final morning