Hants’ tribute to Benkenstein and Carberry
WILL Smith, Hampshire’s stand-in captain, hit a career-best 210 – and then paid tribute to Dale Benkenstein, the county’s outgoing coach.
Benkenstein stunned Hampshire by resigning as first-team coach and returning to South Africa a fortnight ago, citing family reasons.
Smith’s double century, his first since an unbeaten 201 for Durham alongside Benkenstein in 2008, gave Hampshire the chance of a much-needed win.
Ultimately Hampshire failed to take advantage of their biggest total for six years in their first County Championship match since their coach’s shock exit. They made Lancashire follow on, but were restricted to 13 wickets in 208.3 overs after declaring on 5486 after tea on day two. Hampshire remain at the foot of Division One, four points adrift of Nottinghamshire – their next opponents.
Smith remains determined to do everything he can to help the Ageas Bowl side stay up and continue the work Benkenstein did in overseeing the county’s promotion and Great Escape in his two full seasons at the county.
“Benky’s a very proud man, someone I’ve known for a long time and done amazing things for my career and every club he’s been at,” said Smith.
“To not have him around is a blow, but I think he’d reached a point where he’d had so many years of playing county cricket that to then go straight into coaching... he tries to maintain a positive outlook for everyone, but it gets to the point where at some stage it’s going to take a toll. He’s only human, not superhuman – although it sometimes appeared that way when he played – so it’s a blow not to have him. Everything we do now is from the base that he has created over the last two-and-a-half years.”
As a family man, Smith empathises with Benkenstein.
“As a county cricketer that’s your lot. Family takes a back seat and sometimes they put up with more than they should. Family will always come first and Benky will always be close to us in our thoughts. He’ll be watching the scores and hopefully we can put a few wins together for him.”
There was another reminder of how difficult this season has been for Hampshire when it was revealed that Michael Carberry had an operation on a cancerous tumour on the day Smith reached his double century.
“Any positive moments are built around what he [Benkenstein] believed in and equally Carbs, who we’re missing for a different reason,” added Smith. “He’s constantly in our thoughts.”
Lancashire were 310-4 in their first innings when the final day began and after following on 161 behind they were reduced to 61-3 when Liam Dawson struck thrice in 25 balls.
Hands were shaken 19 overs later, but teenage Lancashire opener Haseeb Hameed enhanced his reputation by reaching 1,000 first-class runs in only his 15th first-class match.
Lancashire director of cricket Ashley Giles was effusive in his praise after the 19 year-old followed his 89 with an unbeaten 53 when a very good wicket was beginning to help spinners Dawson and Mason Crane.
“It was an innings of great maturity, with conditions much more challenging on the final day,” said Giles. “Some guys just get it and Has is one of those at 19. He has a huge amount of maturity and loves his batting. Even when he’s not playing well he finds a way. Good on him, he has a very bright future.
“The basis to any good opening batsman is a good defensive method and he has that while he remaining calm and collected. I’m delighted for him, he played a major part in us drawing this game.
“We’re disappointed to only come out with seven points but we were on the wrong end of a really important toss.”