Taylor on song ahead of Glamorgan test

7:40am Monday 4th August 2008

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Billy Taylor will be full of confidence for today's second XI Trophy semi-final against Glamorgan after recording his best one-day performance for the Hampshire Hawks in yesterday's abandoned Pro40 match against Lancashire Lightning.

Taylor took 4 for 26, his first four-wicket haul in limited-overs cricket for Hampshire since his move from Sussex four years ago, as Lancashire were restricted to 210-8 after losing the toss at the Rose Bowl.

After Dimitri Mascarenhas had bowled Paul Horton and Stuart Law, Taylor yorked Glen Chapple as Lancashire were reduced to 41-4 in the 13th over.

And after Sean Ervine had ended a fifth-wicket stand of 118 in 20 overs between Steven Croft and Francois du Plessis, Taylor followed up with the last three wickets.

Rookie wicketkeeper Gareth Cross and Kyle Hogg both holed out to long-on and Croft was caught off a full toss by Mascarenhas in the 39th and final over before a downpour forced the abandonment with Hampshire 14-0 after five overs of their reply.

Hampshire needed to bat for 20 overs to constitute a match so both sides were forced to settle for a point each.

Seamer Chris Tremlett was rested but is expected to be available for the visit of Yorkshire on Wednesday.

Taylor, meanwhile, is expected to lead Hampshire's second XI attack at the SWALEC Stadium today.

Hampshire will be without Liam Dawson, who is playing for England U19s against New Zealand on the last day of the second Youth Test today, having taken 5 for 74 and been run out for 43 so far at Worcester.

Glamorgan may include teenage prodigy James Harris but Hampshire will be confident of reaching their first Trophy final since winning the competition for the first time in 2003.

For more Hampshire Cricket don't miss today's Daily Echo.