t20: Hampshire 69-3 beat Gloucestershire 68 by seven wickets
Gloucestershire suffered a complete all-round humiliation in their first t20 match at Bristol.
An utterly dreadful afternoon of cricket saw an exceptionally poor crowd witness the worst t20 performance ever by Gloucestershire. The "most entertaining" form of cricket provided the least entertaining match that many will have ever witnessed at Nevil Road.
Gloucestershire have a habit of playing poor cricket live on Sky - two pro40 hammerings were broadcast last season - but this match was surely the worst ever. Dreadful cricket and a dreadful crowd would have only worsened Gloucestershire's stock in the eyes of many cricket-observers. The terrible attendance for a t20 match was particularly noted by the Sky commentators.
It was pathetic. The home side were bowled out for just 68 - their lowest-ever t20 total and the second lowest in the history of the competition. Hampshire wasted no time chasing such a paltry total and everyone went home after just 25 overs of cricket thoroughly short-changed.
No Gloucestershire batsman could stay at the crease and had it not been for a modicum of responsibility by Jon Lewis - 19 from 23 balls - the Westcountry side would have easily posted the worst-ever t20 total: they were at least spared that hideous statistic.
But avoiding a terrible record was no consolation for anyone. Hampshire needed just 45 balls to knock off the runs consigning Gloucestershire to the quickest defeat ever in a non-rain affected t20 match.
IAN BUTLER's brief stint as Gloucestershire's second overseas player could be over due to a back injury. The New Zealander has sat out the last three t20 matches.
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