Stirling and Dexter star in Panthers win

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Middlesex 173-6 (20 ov) beat Hampshire 123 (16.4 ov) by 50 runs
(Hampshire 0 pts, Middlesex 2 pts)

Paul Stirling blasted 64 and Neil Dexter closed out an outstanding bowling performance as Middlesex crushed Hampshire for only their second T20 win of the campaign.

Stirling led the way with the bat but was well supported by Ryan Higgins (31) and Dan Christian (29) to help Panthers make 173-6 in their 20 overs.

Ollie Rayner removed openers James Vince and Michael Carberry in successive overs before Hampshire collapsed in spectacular fashion.

From 69-2 in the 10th over, they lost their final eight wickets for just 54 runs, with Dexter taking 3-34, including two in two balls.

The win won’t help Panthers in the South division table but will act as a pick-me-up after a dismal T20 season.

Middlesex took on the Hampshire bowling from the off, making 52 in the first six overs before Dawid Malan was stumped for 15.

Eoin Morgan only made one but Stirling completed his half-century as Panthers reached the halfway mark on an impressive 94-2.

The Irishman fell in the first ball of the 13th over, lbw to Matt Coles, while Higgins went at the end of the next over, bowled by Will Smith.

Runs slowed up a little in the next few overs but Christian hit a run-a-ball 29 to set Hampshire a target of 174.

Vince and Carberry made a promising start, getting to 35-0 in the fourth over, but Rayner dismissed them both.

The run-rate edged down after that and in the second half of the innings, wickets kept on coming.

Ravi Patel picked up a couple before Christian put Panthers firmly on top with two in four balls, removing Coles and Chris Wood and reducing Hampshire to 114-7 after 15 overs.

Within 10 balls it was all over, as Dexter removed Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Rimmington in successive deliveries and Harry Podmore finished it off.

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