Jones takes five for Royals

Simon Jones took his first five-wicket haul for his new county © Getty Images

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Simon Jones claimed 5-32 to help Worcestershire Royals to a nine-wicket victory over Hampshire Hawks in their Friends Provident Trophy encounter at New Road.

Jones, 29, finished with his best one-day figures and first five-wicket haul for his new county, which left the Hawks firmly anchored to the foot of the South/West Division table.

Hampshire were forced to make four changes from their previous Trophy match against Gloucestershire Gladiators at the Rose Bowl because of international call-ups and injuries.

The Royals, facing a victory target of 210, stormed to their second successive win with a massive 22.3 overs to spare thanks to a dazzling opening partnership worth 160 in 19 overs between Vikram Solanki and Steve Davies.

Skipper Solanki led the way with a hard-hitting 81 while Davies added to Hampshire's agony by blazing to an undefeated 76.

The visitors found Jones a handful, and the former England fast bowler claimed the last four wickets in 11 balls for just five runs.

It easily eclipsed his previous best limited-over return of 3-19 for his former county Glamorgan against Lancashire in 2005.

Hampshire batsman Greg Lamb, who top scored with 84 including eight fours off 89 balls, was included in Jones’ impressive haul which saw him finish with figures of 10-1-32-5 and restrict the visitors to 209 in 48 overs.

Jones began his impressive exploits by striking in the sixth over to remove Michael Brown thanks to a low diving catch by wicketkeeper Davies.

Three overs later Sean Ervine attempted to hit out at Steve Magoffin and was well caught at mid-on by Gareth Andrew.

Australian Magoffin also removed Michael Lumb, with the aid of a running catch at point by Gareth Batty.

Zimbabwean-born Lamb and Chris Benham put on 57 in nine overs before Worcestershire were able to make a further breakthrough.

Benham cracked spinner Batty to Andrew on the mid-wicket boundary and at the halfway stage in their innings the Hawks were 121 for four.

Lamb, whose 50 came up off 48 balls with seven fours, added a further 51 in 11 overs with Jimmy Adams Worcestershire’s next victim when he attempted to cut Daryl Mitchell and was snapped up by Davies.

Mitchell also accounted for Kevin Latouf before Jones took centre stage with two wickets in two balls.

Firstly, he had Lamb caught at deep square leg by Andrew and then followed up by ripping out Liam Dawson.

Jones finished off by ousting James Tomlinson and Billy Taylor to leave Hants with a total which Worcestershire never had any trouble overtaking thanks to Solanki and Davies.

Both completed their half centuries off 38 balls with Solanki looking destined for a deserved ton until he holed out to Dawson at long-off off Taylor after chalking up two sixes and 12 fours off 59 balls.

Davies, who finished off the job with Moeen Ali (42no), cracked 12 fours off 71 deliveries.