Pollard floored by bouncer

SOUTHAMPTON – West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard was sent to hospital for scans after being struck in the face while playing for Somerset in the Friends Provident Twenty20 final against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl yesterday.Pollard had smashed a typically swashbuckling 22 from seven balls when he was hit by a bouncer from fast bowler Dominic Cork. He immediately fell to the ground but was able to walk from the field and after initial medical attention at the ground, was carried to hospital.Eventually, Hampshire secured the title with extraordinary style by losing fewer wickets than Somerset after scores finished level after a frantic final two overs that turned a comfortable chase into a mad scramble. It ended with Dan Christian, who had to call for a runner for the final ball, scoring a leg-bye and then, forgetting his injury, sprinting the length of the pitch only for Somerset to miss the chance to run him out and secure victory themselves.Hampshire ended on 173 for five after Somerset posted the same total for the loss of six wickets.The game looked done and dusted when the penultimate over started with Hampshire needing 11 to win, but Ben Phillips claimed two wickets as he removed Neil McKenzie for 52, then had Michael Carberry caught for a duck from a top edge. In between he’d seen Sean Ervine spilled at deep square-leg by Nick Compton, who was only on the field because of a horrid eye injury suffered by Pollard at the end of Somerset’s innings.The final over began with eight needed and both batsmen swung at fresh air while Craig Kieswetter missed two chances to hit the stumps with under-arms. Off the penultimate ball Christian pulled his hamstring coming back for a second, which meant Jimmy Adams had to come out as a runner. When Christian missed the last ball, it looked mighty close for lbw but replays showed it was just sliding down leg side, yet there was confusion. (CMC/Cricinfo)