SPCL1 Week9 - Lots of runs but no win for B.A.T.

New Zealander Neal Parlane and Damian Shirazi set a new record opening partnership as BAT Sports posted the highest-ever ECB Southern Electric Premier League total of 330-4 against South Wilts at Bemerton.

But the Division 1 leaders were unable to eke out a victory as South Wilts, who had won the toss and fielded in scorching heat for almost four hours, clung on for a draw at 217-9, with their last pair at the crease for the final seven overs.

The 17 points BAT took from their match domination kept them comfortably ahead of defending champions Havant, who thrashed neighbours Portsmouth by nine wickets, and Bournemouth, who climbed into third spot with an eight-wicket win at Liphook.

"We were a bit disappointed not to have won, having backed ourselves to bowl South Wilts out in 60 overs. But we were dam close to doing it," said skipper Richard Dibden.

"We batted positively and played South Wilts out of the game, and made it into a `two result' outcome.

"It didn't quite work out, but all credit to South Wilts for battling it out."

The 249-run first wicket stand between Parlane and Shirazi shattered the previous highest opening partnership set by Brian White and Ted Cosway, ironically for South Wilts, in the old Southern League at Alton 20 years ago.

And White was among the sun-drenched spectators at Bemerton to see his record disappear, modestly acknowledging his surprise that it had taken two openers so long to break it !

The pair gave only one chance - Russell Rowe, in an unfamiliar (and rather uncomfortable) wicketkeeping role, fluffing a regulation catch behind before Sharazi had barely got into double figures.

That one ball apart, the partnership oozed quality with Parlane, in particular, in awesome touch.

The Kiwi, who plays First Class cricket alongside Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming for Wellington, missed out on a century when he was dismissed for 92 by Liphook last week.

But one straight six back over Alex Senneck's head in the third over and an awesome pull over the deep mid-wicket boundary in the fifth signalled his intention not to miss out again.

He had his century in the bag by lunch - his chanceless ton taking 95 balls and containing three sixes and 14 fours.

At the break, BAT were 181 without loss, with Parlane 103 not out and Shirazi undefeated on 73.

"I came in at lunch thinking I'd been a policeman on traffic point duty, just watching the ball being routed all around the ground," reflected Paul Draper, standing in for broken collar bone victim Rob Wade.

"Parlane was in such good nick he was almost able to nominate where he was going to place the ball for runs.

"His innings was superb - as good as I've seen in club cricket," he praised.

There was little respite for the South Wilts fielders after lunch as Parlane and Shirazi (98) set a new 249-run opening partnership that eventually ended when the run-happy MCC YC's left-hander appeared to lose his balance and offered up a catch to a grateful Jamie Glasson at mid-wicket.

Parlane got to his 150, which included 20 fours, before being caught in the deep at 268-2.

But Richard Kenway, who learned of younger brother Derek's century for Hampshire (115 against Gloucestershire at the Rose Bowl) as he waited a patient three hours for a knock, made up for lost time with a breezy 59 not out as BAT raced on to a Premier 1 record total of 330-4.

South Wilts got off to the worst possible start, losing Jamie Glasson minutes after coming in from a near four-hour baking in the hot sun.

By tea, they were 17-3, with the left-arm swing of Dan Goldstraw accounting for Tom Caines (12) and Dan Webb in consecutive deliveries.

At one stage, Goldstraw, who was to finish with 5-69, employed eight outfielders behind the bat, with only James Schofield (at short-leg) in front !

Former Hampshire player Jason Laney, 31 not out at tea, found a reliable partner in the slightly unorthodox Colin Perry (30), but they lifted the total to 81 before Goldstraw stuck a fourth blow.

Draper and Rowe too perished before Laney (57), at 154-7, made too much room and was bowled by Terry Rawlins. It appeared South Wilts might sink with all hands.

But the lower-order made BAT work hard for their successes on a batsman-friendly surface, none more so than Simon Woodhouse, who remained entrenched until the end.

Dibden (2-35) teased out Senneck (18) and when Goldstraw had teenage debutant Lysander Wolfe caught behind, South Wilts still had seven overs to last out.

But with Woodhouse comfortably pushing his score to 49 and Australian medium-paceman Jim Seeary holding his end up, South Wilts survived for a creditable draw at 217-9.

"Overall, it was an extremely competitive game, played in the right spirit," Draper concluded.