Lumb ton sees Hampshire through

Michael Lumb takes runs all round the wicket on his way to a century that helped post an imposing 310 for hosts Hampshire

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Michael Lumb hit a century as Hampshire strolled into the Friends Provident Trophy semi-finals with an emphatic 44-run win over Middlesex at the Rose Bowl.

Lumb struck 10 boundaries in his 98-ball innings as Hampshire set a huge target of 311.

Middlesex were on course for an unlikely win at 207 for three in response, but lost their last seven wickets for 59 as the run rate grew to almost 10 an over.

The Panthers went into the match without five first-team regulars and, after their former Hampshire spinner Shaun Udal had lost the toss, they were soon on the receiving end of an opening barrage from Lumb and Jimmy Adams.

The Hampshire duo put on 156 for the first wicket in only 25 overs as weakened Middlesex struggled to cope on an easy-paced wicket.

Adams was eventually bowled by Steven Finn after making 76, but Lumb went on to reach his century in the company of Sean Ervine.

Lumb was out, stumped by Ben Scott off Dawid Malan, two balls after reaching his ton and Ervine was out in the next over to give Middlesex hope.

Neil Dexter's 79 gives Middlesex hope but the target proved too much for the visitors

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Chris Benham was fourth out for three, but that was the last Middlesex success as Michael Carberry and Liam Dawson put on an unbeaten 90 for the fifth wicket.

Dawson was 51 not out at the close of the innings off just 37 balls, when Hampshire were 310 for four after an impressive batting display.

Middlesex battled gamely but in vain, losing Billy Godleman and Nick Compton with 63 on the board before teenager Sam Robson and Neil Dexter compiled 89 in 17 overs for the third wicket.

Malan and Dexter continued to cause Hampshire problems with a stand of 55 for the fourth, but then it all went wrong for Middlesex.

Malan, Dexter, Udal and Gareth Berg all went in four overs, two of them to Billy Taylor and the other two to spinner Imran Tahir.

Dexter faced 100 balls for his 79 in an innings which included a six off Tahir, but once he had swatted Tahir to square leg, Middlesex quickly fell away.

There was some late resistance from Scott and David Nash, but Taylor returned to ensure Hampshire's path to the semi-finals and to finish with 3-44.

Tahir took 2-49, while Dominic Cork, after dismissing Godleman, came back to remove Chris Silverwood as Middlesex attempted to accelerate.

Carberry excelled in the field for Hampshire with outstanding catches to remove Nash and last man Finn.