Kent 313 for 7 (Robinson 95, Stevens 84*) beat Hampshire 310 for 9 (Gubbins 75, Donald 54, Organ 54) by three wickets
Veteran all-rounder Stevens is leaving Kent on the finish of this season after they determined to not renew his contract. He will spherical off his Kent List A profession at a one-day ultimate after hanging a six off his legs after which a pushed 4 to take his aspect over the road with an over to spare.
Kent, who misplaced to Hampshire within the 2018 ultimate, will face Lancashire within the Trent Bridge showpiece on September 17.
Kent openers Joey Evison and Ben Compton had been each dismissed inside the primary six overs of the reply, each edging to Scott Currie at second slip. At the opposite finish, Robinson was enjoying with a elegant contact, with all 12 of his fours approaching the offside to go together with a fantastically flicked six.
Joe Denly placed on 48 with Robinson earlier than edging behind earlier than Harry Finch arrived to considerably chip away at their job. A fast outfield paired with nicely-positioned pictures made scoring appear straightforward, with the duo’s 100 stand coming in 101 balls. But the momentum swung again in direction of Hampshire as Robinson spooned to midwicket for 95 and Finch chopped on.
Enter Stevens, on the again of 41 off 24 within the quarter-ultimate.
He bossed a 60-run stand with Grant Stewart, after which dominated a forty five partnership with Harry Podmore. Power was the identify of his sport, whether or not it was down the bottom or by level; each different ball had the kitchen sink thrown at it. His 50 got here at a run-a-ball, earlier than a unprecedented slapped 4 over further cowl, off a no-ball bouncer, and a checked straight six combo silenced the Ageas Bowl. He even had time to hug umpire David Millns after smashing again at him.
Seventy-two had been wanted from the final 10 overs, which Stevens expertly systematically knocked off to win with an over to spare.
Earlier, Nick Gubbins and Ben Brown had set the platform with 106 for the primary wicket – Hampshire’s highest opening stand of the event. Gubbins was dropped on 33 at first slip however moved previous 50 for the third time within the competitors in 54 balls – introduced up with a sweetly timed minimize for 4.
The spectacular begin was halted by leggie Hamidullah Qadri in controversial style. Brown was adjudged to have been caught at quick nice leg, giving a sarcastic thumbs up and applause to the away aspect on his approach off – with membership captain James Vince additionally tweeting his disbelief on the resolution. The subsequent supply, Hampshire’s main run scorer Tom Prest edged behind.
Aneurin Donald skewed the hat-trick ball away earlier than forging stands of 40 and 42 with Gubbins and, when he had been bowled on 75, Fletcha Middleton, in a managed half-century.
Another pair of wickets – Donald lbw whereas making an attempt a one-handed reverse sweep and Middleton tamely caught at cowl – dragged the Spitfires again into issues, onl for Toby Albert and Felix Organ to thrash 88 runs in 57 balls.
Hampshire appeared nicely set for Trent Bridge. Then got here Stevens.
Cameron Ponsonby is a contract cricket author in London. @cameronponsonby
