Date-stamped : 24 Apr95 - 14:34 Benson and Hedges Round 1 : Middlesex v Hampshire Lord's, 23 April 1995 Stephenson hits form after barren campaign - Charles Randall Middlesex (212-4) bt Hampshire (208-8) by 6 wkts TAKE away last season, and John Stephenson`s credentials as an all-rounder in one-day cricket would have remained unsurpassed. So it was significant he made a productive debut for Hampshire in defeat yesterday. At times he seemed to be making a lone stand against Middlesex, and Fred Titmus, one of the England selectors, was among a good- sized crowd at Lord`s. Middlesex, joint-favourites, won comfortably with more than three overs to spare, but it was Stephenson`s backbone 82, followed by the important wickets of Mike Gatting and John Carr in four balls, that won him the Gold Award. His name should be - but probably will not be - considered for the forthcoming Texaco one-day series against West Indies because his combination of heavy run-scoring, wickets and economy for Essex has not been matched by any of the better known all-rounder candidates. A broken thumb and migraine attacks probably contributed to a flop of a season last year, but yesterday this sparky, determined cricketer proved his value as a man far from over the hill at 30. Middlesex`s bowling made life awkward for Hampshire, even though they decided against opening the bowling attack with a Fraser- Nash partnership so evocative of life in the fast lane. Angus Fraser dismissed a ruminative Robin Smith before he could let the bat flow - a memorable diving catch by Keith Brown and a disappointment for Titmus here - and Dion Nash and David Follett, 26, a seam-bowler from Staffordshire, both had encouraging de- buts. Stephenson lacked adequate support after a first-wicket partner- ship of 94 and, apart from his vivid hook for six off Nash from the third ball after lunch, Hampshire had to make careful pro- gress. Paul Weekes, another clear contender for the Gold Award, punished Stephenson for an ill-judged reverse-sweep, and even Heath Streak, the sturdy Zimbabwean who had made 102 off 88 balls in a warm-up one-dayer against Surrey, failed to worry Middlesex. Middlesex batted at the right tempo and their only hiccup arrived when Stephenson skidded deliveries through for his two wickets. He was surprisingly replaced after seven overs for only 12 runs in favour of Paul Whitaker, whose one over of off-breaks cost 13. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)