In-form James Vince helps Hampshire crush Essex by 118 runs

In form James Vince crushes his fifth T20 century – days after becoming the Vitality Blast’s top series scorer – as Hampshire crushes Essex by 118 runs

  • James Vince reached his fifth T20 century as Hampshire crushed Essex by 118 runs
  • His supreme 103 laid the foundation for a huge 215 target for the Eagles
  • Champions Hampshire recorded their largest margin of victory in the Blast

James Vince then became the Vitality Blast’s highest series scorer by recording his fifth T20 century as Hampshire crushed Essex by 118 runs in the South Group clash at Chelmsford.

Vince is now trailing only Michael Klinger in Blast hundreds after overtaking Luke Wright in the run charts on Wednesday, and only Wayne Madsen has more than his 280 runs in this year’s competition.

His superior 103 laid the foundations for a huge target of 215 for the Eagles, with Nathan Ellis’ three wickets for 10 runs, Scott Currie’s three for 21 and Liam Dawson’s four for 21 ensuring they could never be chased.

Defending champions Hampshire eventually posted their highest margin of victory in the competition after bowling out the hosts for 96, with 35 balls to spare, giving Essex their first T20 defeat of the year.

Vince continued from his back-to-back unbeaten 88s, and his record-breaking, by pumping Aron Nijjar back over his head for two huge sixes with his first two balls faced after being asked to bat first.

James Vince recorded his fifth T20 century as Hampshire crushed Essex by 118 on Friday

Ben McDermott was caught while Toby Albert took nine balls to get away from goal, but Vince terrorized the crowd and local residents – his eventual eight sixes threatened the slate and chimneys of the houses on the Hayes Close End.

He monopolized the scoring of runs, including 60 of 101 standings with Albert – improving his punching power to 38 before being stunned.

Vince is now trailing only Michael Klinger in Blast hundreds after overtaking Luke Wright in the run charts on Wednesday

Vince is now trailing only Michael Klinger in Blast hundreds after overtaking Luke Wright in the run charts on Wednesday

Vince cleanly hit everything sent his way and completed his century with another drawn maximum in 45 balls.

He was furious as he hit a long jump from Matt Critchley to the deep mid-wicket boundary which started five wickets to fall for 35 runs.

Joe Weatherley had made a well composed 29 before being caught at cover to follow the brief stays of Ross Whiteley, Aneurin Donald and James Fuller.

But a tame final was avoided as Dawson swept three straight sixes to take 21 off the final to give Hampshire 214.

Daniel Sams was the only bowler not to go with a double-digit run-rate for his three for 28, although Simon Harmer also took three wickets.

Essex tried to swing his way to victory, but plays and misses dominated, despite Adam Rossington pumping two early sixes before unfortunately being left behind after the ball appeared to hit his stump instead of his bat.

Dan Lawrence was lbw after 22 of 14, Feroze Khushi was hit by Dawson, Paul Walter stumped, Robin Das hit to long off, Tom Westley drilled to cover and Nathan Ellis bowled Harmer. It had been a spell of five wickets in 23 balls for 20 runs.

Dawson pinned Nijjar before Sams delivered Vince his third catch of the night and Ellis his third wicket to complete the extended away win.