TOBY Albert’s fourth List-A half century and two crucial wickets for Mohammad Abbas booked Hampshire a place in the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup as they beat hosts Middlesex by 19 runs at Merchant Taylors’ School.

Albert struck 75 in an innings of 53 balls complete with four sixes, sharing stands of 59 with Liam Dawson (48) and 49 with Kyle Abbott (20 not out) as the visitors totalled 276-7, Luke Hollman taking 4-61 for the hosts.

Middlesex were in the hunt to chase down the target while Mark Stoneman 53 and Jack Davis 46 were sharing a stand of 90 for the fourth wicket, but Pakistani international Abbas returned to remove both, after which Abbott (4-48) see Hampshire over the line as Middlesex were bowled out for 257 with 11 balls left.

With Derbyshire narrowly beating Durham at Chester-Le-Street, victory was enough to send Hampshire to the quarterfinals on net run-rate.

Hampshire, put in after losing the toss, were increasingly frustrated through the powerplay and pressure told when Fletcha Middleton nicked Ethan Bamber to slip and skipper Nick Gubbins chewed up 34 balls before slashing one from Henry Brookes into the hands of Ryan Higgins at point.

The all-rounder left the field after taking the catch Tom Prest began brightly, hitting Bamber back over his head for six before being given a life when Cracknell shelled one at point. The 21-year-old would be reprieved again when replays showed Cracknell’s direct hit left him short of his ground.

It mattered little as Hollman trapped him lbw in the next over. Ben Brown also got a start before top edging a sweep into the hands of Nathan Fernandes.

Dawson though found an ally in Albert, both clearing the ropes in a 50-stand from 44 balls and it took a stunning running catch from Cracknell in the deep to remove the former England spinner two short of what would have been an excellent half-century.

Albert remained to pick up the baton, reaching the landmark in 45 balls, and two more sixes followed as he and Abbott added a crucial 49 from the last 28 deliveries, turning a par score into a challenging one.

Fresh from his batting cameo, Abbott struck a huge early blow pinning the in-form Cracknell lbw with 21 on the board. Abbas was convinced he’d got Sam Robson in similar fashion soon afterwards, but the umpire waved away vociferous appeals. Progress though was slow with the 50 taking almost 15 overs.

Fernandez survived a close shout for a run out only to fall two balls later to the bowling of Brad Wheal, before Robson’s torturous innings of 20 from 49 was ended by a catch in the deep.

Stoneman signalled a change of intent with three successive fours of Wheal after drinks, and the busy Davis caught the mood twice sending deliveries from Felix Organ over the ropes as the 50-stand came up in 49 balls.

Stoneman moved to 50 from 55 balls forcing Gubbins to recall his opening bowlers under darkening skies, but Davis sent Abbott to the midwicket fence before edging another over wicketkeeper Brown’s head.

With rain threatening Abbas settled matters by removing both set batters in his final over. Davis skied one to Brown behind the stumps to end the stand of 90 and the double act were at it again four balls later courtesy of Stoneman’s outside edge.

Higgins emerged with Cracknell as a runner but was bowled by Dawson for a two-ball duck and despite some defiant late blows from Hollman (27) and Brookes (29 not out) Abbott had the final say