Chris Wood led an exemplary display from Hampshire’s bowlers as they swept aside Middlesex by eight wickets at Merchant Taylors’ School.

The left-arm seamer took wickets in successive balls to return 2 for 20 and with the in-form Scott Currie taking 1 for 15 and veteran spinner Liam Dawson 1 for 24, the visitors restricted Middlesex to a meagre 126 for 7.

That score was largely reliant on Luke Hollman’s unbeaten 47 from 33 balls, though the spinning all-rounder should have been run out by yards in the final over by James Vince‘s direct hit, only for umpire Chris Watts to fail to raise his finger.

Hampshire made light work of the chase, Vince leading the way with 45, while Joe Weatherley (36 from 21) and Hilton Cartwright (29 off 13) added 47 in 21 balls to hasten the end.

Hopes Middlesex would be able to build on their win at Hove the night before quickly evaporated as Wood grabbed the initiative with his double strike early in the powerplay.

Max Holden topped edged the seamer into the hands of former Middlesex man Cartwright before snaring Josh de Caires caught behind first ball. Leus du Plooy kept out the hat-trick ball but the dye was cast.

The miserly Currie accounted for Adam Rossington caught at mid-on and with du Plooy and Ryan Higgins failing to sparkle the hosts were soon 47 for 5. Caleb Falconer then flourished briefly before being bowled by Liam Dawson attempting to sweep.

Thereafter, save for one straight six from Eathan Bosch, it was Hollman against the rest, the spinning all-rounder clouting a huge six into the scoreboard and employing the scoop to good effect to at least get Middlesex above a run a ball.

Hampshire’s openers batted with great intent, perhaps with an eye on improving their net run-rate as well as claiming the points for the win.

Vince set the tone, cutting and driving majestically and Toby Albert too looked in good touch until skying a drive to mid-off from the penultimate ball of the powerplay.

Vince maintained the tempo and it was a surprise when he was caught behind attempting to sweep Hollman, so missing out on the half-century which had seemed inevitable.

By then Joe Weatherley was peppering the ropes, and he and Cartwright (badly dropped by Noah Cornwell on seven) finished the game in a hurry, the Australian striking three sixes in four balls.