Cricket

Hampshire Hawks' Vitality Blast hopes were reignited as they secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over their former teammate Benny Howell's brutal half-century against Gloucestershire at the Utilita Bowl.Howell, who had earlier claimed two wickets, turned the tide with a blistering 62 not out, smashing four sixes and five fours to equal his T20 best. His innings propelled Hampshire to victory, keeping their playoff aspirations alive.Gloucestershire, who have never won a T20 at the Utilita Bowl, had earlier posted 176 for 9, thanks to Miles Hammond's 66 and Cameron Bancroft's 49. However, a middle-order collapse saw eight wickets fall in 33 balls, with Brad Wheal claiming four for 35.In reply, Hampshire lost Ben McDermott early, but Howell's onslaught shifted the momentum. He took on Marchant de Lange, hitting two sixes and surviving a drop to reach his half-century in just 22 balls.Despite losing Joe Weatherley, Howell and James Fuller guided Hampshire home with four balls to spare. Howell's match-winning knock included a boundary off the final delivery, sparking jubilation among the home crowd.The victory leaves Hampshire four points adrift of the qualification places with three matches remaining, while Gloucestershire remain two points behind Essex in fourth.

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.