Hampshire fast-medium pace bowler Chris Wood said that his side are “riding a wave” after a dramatic victory over Yorkshire in the T20 Blast.
Friday night’s game at Utilita Bowl was a match-up between the leaders of the North and South groups and Hampshire snatched the victory with just one ball to spare.
With three balls left in the final over and Hampshire needing six runs, Wood ended up the hero as he smashed an unlikely four before a huge six to seal the victory.
“Over the 15-16 years I played I’ve never walked off the field having won the game with a bat for Hampshire,” Wood told BBC Radio Solent.
“It’s a bit of a running joke here as I’ve never really experienced that feeling before, it’s great to get over a line and win again at home.
“When you’ve got someone like Stubbo (Tristan Stubbs) at the other end who’s such a high-class international player and for me to be the one to finish it over him, that is quite a nice little feeling.”
After defeat to Somerset in the opening round, the Hawks have gone on to win their past six matches in the Blast, beating Surrey on two occasions, Essex, Middlesex, Sussex and Yorkshire.
They made it to T20 Finals Day last year but ended up losing to Somerset who pulled off a record beating run-chase to lift the trophy.
Wood said this season feels different for him and his side, who in previous years have typically been slow starters before finishing strong.
“I think we’re riding a bit of a wave,” Wood said.
“It’s very untypical Hampshire, we normally reverse roles and have a poor start and find momentum halfway through the competition towards the end.
“We’ve got a different makeup of our team this year and there’s no hiding in our bowling attack, we’re certainly on the right side of more rights and wrongs at the minute.”