Carberry steers Hampshire home

Michael Carberry guided Hampshire towards the first win of 2009 with 58

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Michael Carberry’s diligent half-century guided Hampshire to their expected victory, by seven wickets over newly-promoted Worcestershire at the Rose Bowl.

Rain was Hampshire's greatest impediment to an opening LV= County Championship win inside three days, with the first hour being lost to rain and then forcing an early tea.

But Hampshire were not to be denied the simple task of gathering the 106 they needed to see off Worcestershire's challenge, despite some late resistance from the last two visiting batsmen.

Worcestershire began the day in a seemingly hopeless position at 150 for eight in their second innings, leading by only 66.

They added a further 39 in 14 overs thanks to some graft by their captain, Vikram Solanki, and Matt Mason.

Solanki, 64 not out overnight, added nine to his total before cutting to point, where Carberry held the catch off James Tomlinson.

Solanki faced 159 balls and his innings included a six and 10 fours, but his demise was not the end of the Worcestershire fightback.

Last pair Mason and Imran Arif added 26 before Hampshire's new signing, Dominic Cork, knocked out Mason's leg stump with an outrageous slower delivery.

Mason had made 25 and Worcestershire were all out for 189, leaving Hampshire plenty of time to get the 106 they needed for their first win of the new season.

Carberry profited from two dropped catches, both by Daryl Mitchell off Kabir Ali, when he was on nought and 15.

Openers Carberry and James Adams put on 38 before Adams was out lbw to off-spinner Gareth Batty’s first ball of the innings.

John Crawley joined Carberry in adding another 61 to take Hampshire within sight of victory.

But, at 99 for one and with only seven required, Mitchell came into the attack with instant success.

Carberry was bowled by Mitchell's first delivery and, from the fifth, with the score still 99, Michael Lumb skied a catch to square leg, where Kabir took it.

However, Sean Ervine struck two boundaries in the next over from Chris Whelan to complete Hampshire's win.

Crawley, restored to the side after a prolonged absence last season with injury, batted with calm assurance in making an unbeaten 31.

Carberry's knock included seven boundaries and his half-century came off 85 balls.