Cricket: Warne Takes Seven As Hampshire Rout Middlesex

A rather misleading statistic was discovered earlier this season, blithely suggesting that Hampshire were a more successful side without Shane Warne as captain. Of their 32 championship matches in the last two seasons Warne had played in 23, of which Hampshire had won 12, drawn six and lost five. In the nine which Warne missed Hampshire were unbeaten, winning six and drawing three.

It was all bunkum, of course, as this season has already proved, with Hampshire losing their opener against Sussex without the Australian and then immediately trouncing Middlesex here with him restored to the helm. He played some part yesterday, too. With the pitch damp and overhead conditions cloudy he had not been required to help with the decimation of Middlesex's first innings on the opening day, but yesterday with the sun on his back and the pitch now taking some turn, not only did he usher his side to a comfortable victory inside three days but he did so by recording his best figures for the county, his seven for 99 bettering the six for 34 he took against Kent at Canterbury in 2000.

Middlesex began the day 124 runs behind but with the not inconsiderable presence of Andrew Strauss still at the crease, unbeaten on 117. All hopes rested on him, if truth be told. A first ever double century was required.

But Warne knew his responsibilities, too, and duly opened the bowling from the Northern End. He was not to remove himself from the attack, wheeling away for 24.1 overs yesterday until the match was won just before 3pm.

The Strauss-Warne contest was fascinating, much more so than the previous day when Warne had appeared a little rusty, evidenced by more full tosses and short balls than you would normally expect from this paragon of accuracy for a leg-spinner.

After losing his overnight partner Nick Compton leg-before for a composed 31, Strauss had moved serenely to 141 - save for one flash wide of Warne at slip off Dimitri Mascarenhas - in the 80th over and Warne was considering using Shaun Udal instead when he unexpectedly found Strauss's edge, the ball going to Sean Ervine at slip. The Zimbabwean lunged forward but could not hang on. Opportunity missed, surely. Not so. The very next ball Warne slid one on to Strauss playing back and the leg-before verdict was a formality.

That was pretty much it, because Warne then tore into the tail like some voracious beast at its prey. Johann Louw resisted stoutly for a while, as did the wicketkeeper Ben Scott, but when Louw was last man out heaving at Warne, Hampshire only required 17 to win.

"I'm more than happy," said Warne afterwards, "because Middlesex are a pretty good side. But we are looking to play positive cricket and will always do that. That is why I believe we are the best side in the competition." As for the much-maligned pitch: "That was the best Rose Bowl wicket I've played on," he said, "If not, it is in the grand final."