Powell to the fore

Michael Lumb hit 62 off just 40 deliveries in Hampshire's imposing total of 224 for six

Daren Powell marked his NatWest Pro40 debut by guiding Hampshire to a nailbiting two-run win over Essex in a high-scoring match reduced to 25 overs.

Powell took four crucial wickets and a catch to deny the visitors an improbable victory after a thrilling climax at the Rose Bowl.

Essex looked set to overhaul Hampshire’s huge total of 224 for six before Powell claimed the wickets of James Foster and Ryan ten Doeschate in quick succession in the 22nd over.

Earlier, Hampshire appeared to have victory wrapped up after Essex crumbled to 56 for four before ex-England wicket-keeper Foster and Grant Flower staged a revival with a 103-run partnership.

Zimbabwean Flower slogged his way to 54 off just 30 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

Foster was even more dominant as he raced to 61 off 40 balls, with four fours and three sixes.

Flower’s impressive innings was brought to end when he was caught by Powell off the bowling of Shaun Udal.

Powell, who had already bowled Varun Chopra lbw for one, ensured Foster quickly followed Flower when he was caught by Dimitri Mascarenhas.

Daren Powell's four wickets helped see Hampshire home

The Jamaican then dismissed Holland international ten Doeschate for 21 courtesy of an lbw verdict before claiming the wicket of Graeme Napier for just five to finish with figures of 4-34.

Andy Bichel needed a four from the final delivery to tie the game but failed to find the boundary as Essex finished on 222 for nine.

Play was delayed by two-and-a-quarter hours after overnight rain left parts of the Rose Bowl pitch waterlogged.

Hampshire chose to bat after winning the toss and opener Michael Lumb set Shane Warne’s men on course to victory with a quickfire 62 off just 40 balls.

Lumb made light work of the Essex bowlers early on, hitting two sixes and seven fours as he helped add 59 with Sean Ervine before both were run out.

Chris Benham and Michael Carberry hit 24 and 35 respectively to set Essex a required run-rate of nine per over.

Nic Pothas (17) and John Crawley (10) - caught early off Ravi Bopara - were the other players to reach double figures.

Umpire Nigel Cowley was admitted to hospital with chest pains before the match.

The 54-year-old was taken to Southampton General Hospital as a precaution after falling ill an hour before play was due to start.