Pothas records third ton

Nic Pothas made a hundred to start the season on a high for Hampshire © Getty Images

Nic Pothas boosted his claims for an England call-up by notching his third one-day century as Hampshire claimed a 91-run win over Middlesex at the Rose Bowl.

South Africa-born Pothas will be eligible to play for England next month through residential qualification and hopes to be named in the squad for the first Test against the West Indies.

The wicket-keeper recorded an impressive 114 off just 139 balls as Hampshire posted a match-winning 294-6 from their 50 overs.

Middlesex captain Ed Smith was left to regret his decision to field after winning the toss as Pothas and opening partner Chris Benham quickly set about the visitors' attack.

Pothas's innings included eight fours and a six before he was eventually caught by Ben Hutton off Chris Silverwood.

Debutant Michael Lumb, playing his first game for Hampshire following a summer move from Yorkshire, marked the occasion with a quickfire 59.

Lumb rattled off three fours and a six from 59 balls as part of a partnership of 106 with man-of-the-match Pothas.

John Crawley and Jimmy Adams also took advantage of some weak fielding from Middlesex to hit 30 off 35 and 38 off 36, respectively.

Tim Murtagh took two wickets on his one-day debut match for the Middlesex Crusaders

Silverwood and Tim Murtagh took two wickets each to stem the flow of Hampshire's attack and give Middlesex hope.

Shane Warne, committed to Hampshire for the whole season after his international retirement, was at his brilliant best to dispel any faint hopes of a comeback.

He took 3-16 from his six overs as Middlesex were all out for 203, including the wicket of key batsman Owais Shah.

Shah raced to 32 off only 42 balls, hitting three fours, before Warne stepped in to dismiss him with only his third ball of the match in the 23 over, Benham making the catch.

Smith also looked to be putting together a handy innings after reaching his half century from just 63 balls.

But he managed only a further nine runs before falling victim to an lbw decision at the hands of his legendary opposite number.

Once Murtagh and David Nash had both been skittled out for nought by the impressive Warne and Shaun Udal, there was only one winner.

Murali Kartik's embarrassing run out from Greg Lamb's direct hit summed up a frustrating afternoon for the visitors, who had made a two-hour journey to the south coast after their high-scoring LV County Championship clash with Somerset at Taunton.

The Middlesex innings was brought to a close when Chris Whelan was bowled out by James Tomlinson to cap a decent return of 2-43 for the bowler.

With Australian Stuart Clark still to join up with the Hampshire squad after the World Cup they can look forward to what should be a season challenging for honours.