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Brilliant Bailey beaten by super Sangakkara

All the county cricket action including a whirlwind knock that almost pulled off a remarkable victory

A brilliant unbeaten 145 by former Australia ODI captain George Bailey resurrected Hampshire overnight but the punishing knock was in vain as champion Kumar Sangakkara countered with a masterful century of his own to guide Surrey to a Duckworth-Lewis win at The Oval.

Bailey and ex-South Africa quick Kyle Abbott rescued Hampshire after they were reduced to 7-89 in the 23rd over, former Windies paceman Ravi Rampaul the chief destroyer with 3-22 in seven overs.

The pair put on 152 in 25 overs – a Hampshire record for the eighth wicket against all counties – to lift the visitors to 8-271, Bailey finishing not out on 145 from 132 balls with a dozen fours and two sixes, while Abbott compiled 56 from 77 deliveries.

"We enjoyed it," Bailey told BBC radio when told of his record stand with Abbott.

"We talked a lot out there about how much fun we were having, which was good in the face of adversity.

"Sometimes the innings pans out for you.

"By the time Kyle and I got there it was really just about seeing how far we could take it, so it takes the focus off the individual stuff and you ignore the score completely and look at how many overs are gone.

"It’s a nice, free way to bat."

Image Id: 51B2EA0F65D4451487AA5BE60571144C Image Caption: Bailey celebrates a superb century // Getty


Bailey has been in fine form for Hampshire during England’s 50-over competition, adding a century on Sunday to two half-centuries in his six outings, an impressive feat given he’s barely picked up a bat since finishing the summer in Australia and getting married before his arrival in Southampton.

"I guess (when you’re) 34-years-old, you’ve got a few hours in the bank of getting it done," Bailey said.

"It’s like riding a bike, you get in to the swing of things and away you go."

While Bailey’s dig – which included 22 from the final over of Hampshire’s innings bowled by Rampaul, was brutal – Sangakkara outshone the Australian with a sublime 124no to deliver Surrey a comfortable eight-wicket win when rain halted play.

"Yeah the youngster, he still bats nicely, doesn’t he?" Bailey said of the 39-year-old Sangakkara.

"He was pretty crisp from ball one."

Image Id: 006AA917573D414E80B51F6C6C5D981B Image Caption: Sangakkara was typically dominant // Getty


However, both Bailey’s and Sangakkara’s innings paled in comparison to the one-man onslaught by Kent’s Darren Stevens.

Stevens, at the ripe old age of 41, blasted 147 from just 67 balls in an absolute run-fest in Swansea where 697 runs were scored and a record-equalling 35 sixes were hit.

Fourteen maximums came from the bat of Stevens, who despite his bludgeoning best efforts, couldn’t lift Kent beyond Glamorgan’s 7-356, which was propelled by 114 from Colin Ingram and 94 from William Bragg.

Image Id: 4ECBA50F3C924A858CA906E24931F0DF Image Caption: Duck for cover! Stevens in full flight // Getty


In Birmingham, Australian Peter Handscomb scored 15 as England Test captain Joe Root posted 83 in Yorkshire’s 8-281 against cellar dwellers Warwickshire.

While the match featured a host of current and future talent, including Root, Handscomb, Jonny Bairstow and David Willey, it was a pair of veterans that got the Bears home in a shock result.

Former England batmen Jonathan Trott (70) and Ian Bell (98) did the bulk of the scoring for the hosts, who cruised to victory with five wickets in hand and 21 balls to spare to knock off the ladder-leaders.  

Image Id: 0D2236108A424DD7BE789416AB9C88FC Image Caption: Bell was all class with 98 // Getty


At Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire beat Lancashire by seven wickets due in large to Samit Patel’s 103no and his unbroken partnership of 183 with Steve Mullaney (77no).

Nottinghamshire reached the victory target of 265 with four overs remaining after Australia quick James Pattinson restricted Lancashire with 2-38 bowling third change.

Finally, John Hastings’ push for a return to Australia’s ODI XI for the Champions Trophy received another boost after the Victorian claimed 3-50 opening the bowling for Worcestershire in their 15-run win over Durham.

Hastings claimed the key scalp of Paul Collingwood, caught and bowled for four, as the home side defended their 8-270 at New Road.