Emsworth’s extras woes

Emsworth 3rds are propping up the Hampshire League Division 6 South East table after a day to forget against Fareham & Crofton 4ths.

First, they conceded a staggering 64 extras - including 44 wides and 13 no balls - as Fareham posted 209-7 after winning the toss.

Then four of their top five scored just one run between them en route to being routed for just 80 to crash to a 129-run defeat at Hollybank.

Danny Baxter (34) and Matt Fitsell (33) top scored with the bat during the Fareham innings, with George Falcon-Paterson (1-37) sending down 12 wides in his eight-over stint.

Harry Falcon-Paterson took the most punishment - his eight overs costing 65 runs (seven wides).

Jason Manning then bagged 5-10 in five overs as Emsworth, having reached 24-0, collapsed to 37-6.

Opener Jez Webber (19) and Patrick Dyke (17) top scored with the bat - extras (21) was again the highest overall score - as Emsworth’s misery ended off the first ball of the 25th over.

Hampshire’s next generation will get their chance to shine as the county bid for a third successive Royal London Cup final appearance.

Hampshire begin their group games in the 50-over competition against Essex at The Ageas Bowl today (11am).

They will have to do without four experienced faces who have won Hundred contracts - James Vince and Liam Dawson (both Southern Brave) and Chris Wood and Mason Crane (both London Spirit).

Their absences will mean plenty of chances for players such as teenage batsmen Tom Prest and Toby Albert, who both made their T20 debuts in recent weeks.

Seamer Scott Currie, Hampshire’s leading Blast wicket-taker with 15 victims, is also sure to play a major role.

Fletcha Middleton, who has been playing for Alton in the Southern Premier League, is likely to make his senior 1st XI debut for the county as well.

Essex, Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire, Middlesex, Sussex and Worcestershire are also in Hampshire’s group.