Kenway and Giddins shine in win over Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's preparations for the NatWest Series suffered another setback as they slumped to a 16-run defeat against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl. They were bowled out for 246 with Ed Giddins reviving fond memories of his 5 for 15 against Zimbabwe at Lord's in 2000.

This time Giddins took 4 for 33, and despite 53 from Douglas Marillier and consistent scoring from the middle-order, Zimbabwe couldn't reach Hampshire's 262, in which Derek Kenway excelled with 120 not out.

The Zimbabweans reshuffled their batting order, with the inexperienced Charles Coventry opening with Marillier and Dion Ebrahim dropping down to No. 3. Coventry made only 2 before miscuing Dimitri Mascarenhas to cover, and Ebrahim only 5 before playing on to Giddins. That made Zimbabwe 19 for 2 in the ninth over, a position which only emphasised their fragile batting.

However, their stocks revived through an enterprising partnership between Marillier and Tatenda Taibu, but just as it was looking dangerous Taitu attempted an ill-advised hook against James Hamblin and holed out at long leg for 29 (87 for 3) in the 22nd over. This left much depending on Marillier, who was closing in on his half-century, and the experienced Grant Flower.

Marillier was soon bowled by Shaun Udal (111 for 4), but Flower (22) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (38) kept up the momentum before Andy Blignaut launched a rapid 44 from 30 balls to keep Zimbabwe in the hunt. He needed the tail-end to stay with him, but that was asking too much. Gary Brent was bowled for a duck (203 for 8) and Ray Price went for 4 (243 for 9) and that was that.

Put in by Taibu, Hampshire made a solid start before Kenway began to play more fluently, batting through the innings for an admirable 120. At 154 for 5 however, Zimbabwe were on course to restrict Hampshire to a low score, but Dimitri Mascarenhas then put pay to that. He chipped in at the end with a rapid half-century and kept the board busy in an imaginative innings, using his feet well, placing the ball cleverly and teasing the fielders with speedy running, as Hampshire clocked up a respectable 262 - a score which was too much for Zimbabwe.

And to make things worse for them,, during the match they received the depressing news that their most consistent batsman, Stuart Carlisle, did indeed break his thumb fielding against Somerset. Carlisle hopes he may be fit to play in the last two matches of the triangular tournament, and will stay on with the squad as the selectors have refused to send a replacement.