Veteran Bashley (Rydal) left-hander Ian Britton smashed three sixes off the last three balls of the match so Hampshire Seniors could tie with Kent and qualify for the quarter-finals of the ECB national 50-plus County Championship on account of losing fewer wickets.

The 56-year old hoisted three successive deliveries over the near leg-side boundary at Totton & Eling’s Linden Oval so Hampshire, seven wickets down, could match Kent’s score of 253-8 and so progress to the last eight.

Such an astonishing finale appeared improbable as Hampshire, a healthy 190-3 at one stage, lost four quick wickets and were left requiring 45 runs off the last 15 balls of the match.

But Britton, who finished with 35 not out, and Kevin Poulter chipped away at the target, leaving Hampshire at 235-7 with three balls of the 45th and final over left.

Three sixes would be enough to tie the scores – and win the tie for Hampshire – and Britton duly obliged!

“I targeted an area between cow corner and square leg,” Britton explained.

“It was minimum effort on my behalf and I dropped all three sixes just over the boundary rope.

“Next thing I knew I was being mobbed by a bunch of 50-year olds I didn’t know could move so quick.

“The Kent lads stood there, shaking their heads in disbelief.

“It was one of those moments that happens once in your lifetime, maybe never.”

Hampshire’s ultimately successful run chase had been built on a fine start by Colin Day and Shaun Lilley (50), who shared a near-century opening partnership.

Day batted superbly for a 14-boundary 94, but four wickets fell for 18 runs until Britton’s last-gasp heroics won the day.

But Britton wasn’t Hampshire’s hero earlier in the game, dropping Kent opener Peter Eames when he had made only two. He went on to make 104 before being stumped off Paultons’ John Robinson (3-56).

Hampshire will host the winners of today’s match between Bedfordshire and Cheshire at Flitwick in next month’s quarter-finals.