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Stephenson stays ahead of the rate

Hampshire (130-1) bt Kent (208-8) by 21 runs

JOHN Stephenson's aggressive unbeaten 71, scored off 82 balls, ensured that Hampshire defeated Kent under the Duckworth-Lewis system after bad light and rain interrupted, then terminated, their response.

Stephenson dominated an opening stand of 77 with Giles White, pulling and cutting powerfully when the bowlers dropped short. He also played several lofty drives, some not perfectly timed, but struck well enough to clear the field.

White was very solid until he aimed across Julian Thompson. Robin Smith began cautiously and Kent had regained some control when the first stoppage came with Hampshire 96 for one off 22.3 overs.

Their revised target was 156 off 34 overs. This, with Smith now timing his drives and cuts perfectly, they were coasting towards when the rain returned.

Earlier Kent had found the going tough on a slowish pitch. Robert Key, in particular, struggled, his 48 occupying 103 balls with one solitary boundary, but he did stand firm while early wickets fell. Kent's innings gained some impetus from Mark Ealham's aggressive 36.