Hampshire Hawks Snatch Thrilling Comeback Victory Over Kent Spitfires

Hampshire Hawks staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a thrilling three-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires in their Vitality Blast encounter. Trailing by 42 runs with just three overs remaining, the Hawks unleashed a barrage of late sixes to secure their first T20 win of the season.

James Fuller, Benny Howell, and Liam Dawson emerged as the heroes for Hampshire. Fuller's three consecutive sixes off Beyers Swanepoel in the 18th over ignited the comeback, while Howell and Dawson smashed over the ropes in the penultimate and final overs to seal the victory.

Kent had earlier posted a competitive 165 for 9, thanks to Daniel Bell-Drummond's 42 off 27 balls and Sam Billings' 43. However, Joey Evison's impressive bowling figures of 3 for 31 kept the Spitfires in check.

Chasing 166, Hampshire's openers Ben McDermott and James Vince struggled to find their rhythm in the powerplay. McDermott's six was followed by his dismissal, while Nick Gubbins and Vince also fell cheaply.

Joe Weatherley and Fuller kept Hampshire in the hunt, but with 42 runs needed off the last three overs, the game seemed lost. However, Fuller's six-hitting spree changed the complexion of the match.

Weatherley fell for 49, but Howell's six off the final ball of the penultimate over brought Hampshire within striking distance. Dawson then smashed Grant Stewart over the ropes in the final over to secure the unlikely victory.

For Kent, Bell-Drummond and Billings provided a solid foundation, but they failed to capitalize on their early momentum. Fuller's dismissal of Bell-Drummond and Dawson's double strike on Billings proved crucial in Hampshire's comeback.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #HampshireHawks, #KentSpitfires, #JamesFuller, #BennyHowell