Miserable return for Jones as Hampshire triumph (From Daily Echo)

Miserable return for Jones as Hampshire triumph

7:52pm Monday 7th May 2012 in Sport

Glamorgan's former England fast bowler Simon Jones endured a miserable return to Hampshire, where he spent the last two injury-ravaged years, today.

Jones was on the wrong end of a thrashing as Hampshire got home by 48 runs, under the Duckworth/Lewis method, after James Vince and Michael Carberry had put together an opening stand of 142.

Glamorgan made 173 for seven from their 34 overs from a rain-reduced contest and Hampshire were well on their way to their target at 151 for two from 23.5 overs when rain washed out any hope of a conventional finish.

Nothing went right for Jones, an England hero in the 2005 Ashes series victory, after he took the new ball for Glamorgan.

Jones conceded a costly 54 from five overs with both openers cashing in on some short deliveries, Vince twice hitting him for two fours in an over and Carberry no less punishing.

Another former England bowler, Kabir Ali, was the most successful of the Hampshire bowlers when Glamorgan captain Mark Wallace chose to bat first after a delayed start.

Glamorgan made a promising start with openers Gareth Rees and Stewart Walters putting on 48 in 11 overs and then Walters and Nick James contriving the best partnership of the innings, 79 for the fourth wicket.

But Kabir bowled Walters for a fluent 68, which included six fours and a six from 89 balls, and then had James caught in the deep for 37.

Ali finished with figures of three for 44 and there was a wicket each for spinners Danny Briggs and Liam Dawson as Glamorgan failed to accelerate at the death.

Vince and Carberry made light of their task with a first wicket partnership that took only 22.2 overs to put together and the result was never in doubt.

With victory in sight and the clouds gathering, Carberry tried one aggressive shot too many and lofted Alex Jones to namesake Simon at long on.

Carberry's 60 came off 65 balls and included five fours and two sixes but he was overshadowed by Vince.

England prospect Vince was on his way to a deserved century when he edged Will Owen to wicketkeeper Wallace after making 83.

Vince's innings was compiled over 78 balls in which he hit 11 fours and a six but with Hampshire needing a further 23 from 10.1 overs, the rain returned before his replacement, Sean Ervine, could face a ball.