Warne form hands Hampshire favourites tag

Profiles / Editor / 21 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Shane Warne played a key role in helping Hampshire reach the Friends Provident Trophy final and Betfair punters feel his influence will help the Hawks win the competition.

The Australian spin legend took 2-37 to help his county to a 40-run win over Warwickshire in Wednesday's semi-final and Hampshire are now the 1.72 favourites to lift the trophy.

Hampshire finished their 50 overs on 206-7 and then went on to dismiss Warwickshire for just 166 at the Rose Bowl, securing a place in the final against Durham at Lord's on August 18.

Skipper Warne admitted: "I am very proud of the guys.

"We haven't really hit our form, haven't really batted well through the whole competition. But our bowling and fielding has been excellent all through the tournament."

He added: "I thought we needed 230 at least. It was a very good wicket, a little bit slow. We thought if we could get 230-240, batting second is always hard."

Durham, 2.22 to win the tournament, made it through to the final after winning an amazing game at the Riverside.

Having bowled Essex out for just 71, the home side struggled with their run chase but eventually won by three wickets after reaching 72-7.