Hampshire clinch thrilling win over Australians

Hampshire became the first county side to inflict defeat on the Australians on this tour in a thrilling finish at the Rose Bowl.

It was Hampshire's first win over the Australians since 1912. Australian captain Steve Waugh declared his second innings at 389 for nine, leaving Hampshire to score 133 in 26 overs.

There were nine balls remaining when rookie wicket-keeper Iain Brunnschweiler turned spinner Colin Miller to the leg side for the winning boundary amid scenes of great excitement for a crowd approaching 3,000. The victory was by just two wickets.

Yet Hampshire were by no means at full strength. Alan Mullally (ribs) and Dimitri Mascarenhas (hamstring) were unable to bowl in the Australian second innings while Robin Smith was also off the pitch with a rib injury.

The Australians, resuming at 176 for one, lost Matthew Hayden for 142 after a five-hour innings and Simon Katich in the morning session. At the fall of the eighth wicket, the tourists were only 88 in front.

But with time and overs running out, Jason Gillespie and Ashley Noffke held up Hampshire with a precious ninth-wicket stand.

At the fall of Noffke's wicket, Waugh decided to make a game of it. Hampshire lost wickets steadily in pursuit of their target and when the eighth wicket fell, four of them to Shane Warne, an Australian win looked more likely.

But Brunnschweiler and debutant James Schofield kept cool in searing heat to get the final five runs needed.

Hampshire captain Robin Smith said: "Steve's declaration made a game of it. We went for the runs from the start and it was a great finish."

Former Hampshire player Warne, who finished with four for 31, said: "Hampshire bowled very well considering the players they had missing. It was a tight finish but they kept their nerve. They were on top for two days so I suppose there was some justice in them winning."