DERBYSHIRE FAIL IN MEAGRE RUN CHASE

Chasing Hampshire's modest 155 all out, Derbyshire lost in the last over with their last five wickets falling for 11 runs in a belated attempt to accelerate.

At one stage with Rob Bailey and Mathew Dowman in a full-cry stand of 65 for the fifth wicket, Derbyshire needed only another 58 and with 12 overs in hand.

But from the moment Dowman was out for 35, mistiming a drive against Alan Mullally, Derbyshire fell away in spectacular style.

Dominic Cork and James Pyemont kept Bailey company for a time and at 128 for 5, there was still plenty of time for the Scorpions.

But the return of Mullally to the Hampshire attack and some determined fielding led to a loss of nerve which even affected the previously obdurate Bailey who had faced 97 balls in making 40. Bailey went down the wicket to Shaun Udal and was caught in the deep looking for what would have been only his third boundary.

Derbyshire's last three wickets fell in four balls to leave them to contemplate their sixth defeat of the season. Mullally took three for 19 and Chris Tremlett three for 15 to confirm his growing value to Robin Smith's side.

Smith might have regretted choosing to bat first when Jason Laney was out to the first ball of the match and Neil Johnson followed soon afterwards both to Dominic Cork.

Cork also ended Hampshire's best stand of the innings, a paltry 40 for the fifth wicket between Will Kendall and Lawrence Prittipaul.

Cork celebrated his Test squad selection with three for 38 while Paul Aldred never allowed Hampshire to gain the upper hand in taking three for 17 from his nine tight overs.

CORK MARKS TEST CALL-UP WITH THREE WICKETS

Cork, named in the England squad for Lord's, made an immediate impression when he had Jason Laney caught at the wicket from the first ball of the match.

In his third over Cork got rid of Neil Johnson and returned later to end Hampshire's best partnership when he had Will Kendall lbw for a dogged 22.

Kendall had featured in a stand of 40 for the fifth wicket with Lawrence Prittipaul who made a promising 28.

Derek Kenway hit a fluent 29 on a pitch of variable bounce and near the end Shaun Udal was undefeated with 28 but it was a disappointing batting performance by Hampshire after Robin Smith had won the toss and chosen to bat first.

Cork was overshadowed to some extent by fellow bowler Paul Aldred who took three for 19 from his nine overs while, near the end of the innings, spin bowler Lian Wharton took two wickets in one over.

Hampshire limped to 155 for 9 from their 45 overs leaving Derbyshire with a big chance to record their fourth win of the season.

© CricInfo

Date-stamped : 15 Jul2001 - 22:36