ROBIN SMITH, Hampshire captain, owner of 62 England Test caps and a winner of three domestic titles, surveyed the jubilant surroundings of the Rose Bowl yesterday afternoon to declare: "This ranks right up there as one of the best moments of my career."

On one of the greatest days in the club's history, Smith's Hampshire heroes defeated world champions Australia by two wickets in a thrilling finish.

Rookie wicketkeeper Iain Brunnschweiler, a former pupil of King Edward VI School in Southampton, swept off-spinner Colin Miller for four runs with just nine balls remaining of a tight run-chase, prompting wild scenes among the 2,000 spectators.

"I'm overwhelmed," declared Smith, celebrating Hampshire's first win over the Australians since 1912. "It is a wonderful day for me to have led Hampshire to victory against the Australians.

"This is a great day for Hampshire cricket. I know it is a cliche, but cricket was the winner and everybody who came here had a fantastic day."

Smith paid tribute to Australian skipper, Steve Waugh, whose generous declaration had set up the tense finale. He called time on Australia's second innings at 389-9, leaving Hampshire with the task of scoring 133 in 26 overs.

"Steve's declaration made a game of it. We went for the runs from the start and it was a great finish."

As the balance of power shifted in an absorbing final hour, wickets tumbled in the dramatic run chase, four of them to former Hampshire player Shane Warne, and three to paceman Brett Lee with Australia scenting victory.

Then Brunnschweiler and fellow debutant James Schofield came to the crease and coolly steered the hosts to victory with a crucial ninth wicket stand.

"It is a fantastic achievement. The whole three days have been unbelieveable," said Brunnschweiler. While Hedge End-based Schofield added: "This is a fantastic day for Hampshire."

Australia now have to regroup after this morale-sapping loss ahead of Thursday's third Test match against England at Trent Bridge - their only previous defeats on this Ashes tour were one-day games against Pakistan and Middlesex.

However, Warne was generous in defeat, acknowledging that Hampshire had been struggling on the final day with Alan Mullally and Smith (both ribs), plus Dimitri Mascarenhas (hamstring) unable to field during the Australian second innings through injury.

Warne admitted: "Hampshire did well considering the players they had missing.

It was a tight finish, but they kept their nerve.

"They were on top for two days so I suppose there was some justice in them winning."