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Rossouw century powers Hants to title

Former Proteas batsman sets up record total before Hampshire sealed victory with 17 balls to spare

South African Rilee Rossouw didn't allow getting stuck in a lift on the eve of the match upset him as his sublime century propelled Hampshire to a 61-run win over Kent in the One-Day Cup final at Lord's on Saturday.

The 28-year-old - who according to the BBC was stuck in a lift at the team hotel between floors for 45 minutes on Friday - struck 125, his 12th century in the one day format, to help Hampshire set a new record total for a 50 overs final at Lord's of 7-331.

Durham's 312 in 2007 had been the previous mark.

Image Id: FB27A9D427204B45928F720925055874 Image Caption: Winners are grinners // Getty

"I'm a very proud captain and couldn't have asked for more from the boys throughout the tournament," Hampshire captain James Vince told Sky Sports.

"Our fielding was (electric) today. We probably saved 30 or 40 runs in the field."

Rossouw, who struck nine fours and three sixes, had been well supported firstly by his opening partner Tom Alsop, who made 72, and then former Kent skipper Sam Northeast punished his former teammates with an unbeaten 75. 

Image Id: 09E1D4C02B8444DD95F1059B6A35D25A Image Caption: Rossouw celebrates his 12th List A hundred // Getty

Kent - who had done well to restrict Hampshire to just 68 runs in the final 10 overs at a cost of five wickets - were never really up to the chase especially once their star South African Heino Kuhn, who had an average of 94.86 in the competition,  made a poor call for a run and was brilliantly run out by Gareth Berg.  

Kent lost another crucial wicket before they hit three figures as Joe Denly - who had enjoyed a good spell with the ball taking 4-57 - went for 12 caught by Vince off Berg.

Although both opener Daniel Bell-Drummond and captain Sam Billings scored half-centuries - the former top scoring with 86 and the latter was last man out for 75 - Hampshire had plenty in hand.

Image Id: 409A41DC6BE145A795BD9EBB7DF9C401 Image Caption: Steyn with the silverware // Getty

Billings - who on Friday was omitted from the England squad for the ODI series with India - said he did not regret opting to field first and predicted he and his team faced a golden future.

Kent have not won a Lord's final for 40 years, stretching back to 1978.

Eight defeats in one-day finals have followed since that Bob Woolmer-inspired six-wicket win against Derbyshire.

"There's definitely far more to come from this group of players, without a doubt," he told Sky Sports.