What are the various criteria that make a truly great game of cricket one that deserves to be remembered in the most select group in the history of the game?

An attempt to answer that question in order to justify our top 100 Hampshire Scorecards would include preferably one or more of the following:

• Equal contest between bat and ball over the course of the match (with the possibility that each will be in the ascendancy at different points in the contest)

• Shifting fortunes, with the outcome in the balance, and a hard fought draw a valid result

• Exceptional individual performances (showing the highest skill levels), but with team more important than self

• Players adapting their approach in recognition of match situation, conditions, and performance of opposition, including playing ‘against type’ where circumstances demand

• Fierce competition between, and visible commitment from, both individuals and teams, but coupled with mutual respect for, and acknowledgement of, performance, achievement and tradition

This was one of the greatest all round performances in Hampshire's long and proud history in first class cricket. Liam Dawson, in his partnership of 236 with Nick Gubbins, set a new record for the 5th wicket in any game against Middlesex. His 141 and career-best 12-130 meant he was the first Hampshire player in 122 years to take more than ten wickets and score a century in the same game. He took six wickets in each innings. Liam joins Arthur Ridley, Francis Lacey and Charlie Llewellyn in achieving that feat for Hampshire.

Our first ever game first-class game against Durham was a 3-day game at Northlands Road on 29th May 1992. This is the historic scorecard for that match which was drawn.  Mark Nicholas won the toss and asked Durham to bat. The first ever away game at Darlington in the same season was a 4-day game in August 1992.

Cardigan Connor returned figures of 27-10-58-5 to become the first man to take a five wicket haul in the fixture. John Glendenen and Ian Botham made half-centuries. Kevin James and Julian Wood  then hit Hampshire's first half-centuries, but they trailed  by 94 runs on first innings. John Wood on debut took 5-68 for Durham. The third day was abandoned without a ball bowled. At the end of the game, Hampshire's fifth of the season, the side was top of the table with 79 points from 5 games. 

In the return fixture at the end of August at Darlington, Hampshire's first ever visit to Durham was again a draw. Tony Middleton continued his remarkable season that year with 110 not out ( his 6th century of the campaign), while John Ayling also made 90 in the first innings.