Ervine analyses Hampshire exit

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Sean Ervine believes Hampshire were hindered by a lack of preparation time as they departed the Champions League T20 at the earliest stage.

The 2012 Friends Life t20 and Clydesdale Bank 40 winners were unable to emerge from their three-team qualifying section, with defeats to Auckland Aces and Sialkot Stallions providing disappointment.

Auckland topped Pool One and were subsequently joined in the tournament proper by Andrew Gale’s Yorkshire.

Asked about Hampshire's early exit from the Champions League T20, all-rounder Sean Ervine replied: "We're obviously disappointed."

Each of those sides arrived in South Africa prior to Hampshire, a factor Ervine feels was significant.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get through, but the two teams that came out here well in advance are the two that went through. All credit to them,” the all-rounder told ecb.co.uk.

“I think it definitely played a big part in the whole thing. It’s completely different wickets and a completely different environment, and the boys struggled a little bit.

“We were pretty unlucky as well; we lost both tosses and had to bat up front on some pretty difficult wickets.

“It was a good experience, but we’re obviously disappointed that we couldn’t get through and go further.”

Prior to their Champions League struggles, Hampshire had enjoyed a hugely successful summer.

Indeed, Ervine is of the opinion that their feat in securing both domestic one-day titles may not be repeated for many years.

“It was very pleasing to get the two trophies - the double,” he added.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen (again) for a long time, for us anyway. We can’t expect to go ahead and win two more trophies (each year). It might not happen for another 20 or 30 years.”

With the 2012 campaign now at an end, Ervine will now return to his homeland of Zimbabwe.

“I’m just going to play a little cricket, keep the ball rolling and keep the body moving,” he explained.

“It’s pretty much the same preparation I had this year, which worked well for me.”

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