Royal London One-Day Cup

Gloucestershire 218-6 Hampshire 217-7

MICHAEL KLINGER led from the front as Gloucestershire reached their first one-day semi-final for 11 years with a four-wicket Royal London Cup win over Hampshire at Bristol.

The skipper made 87 off 81 balls – having been dropped on nought – to guide his side to a victory target of 218 with six balls to spare.

But Klinger has since returned to his home in Australia for domestic reasons and it seems unlikely he will play any part in the semi-final against Yorkshire at Headingley next Sunday (September, 6).

After rain had reduced the quarter-final to 34 overs per side, Jimmy Adams, with 97 off 99 balls and Will Smith, who smacked 50 off only 25 deliveries, ensured Hampshire’s total of 217-7 was competitive.

Adams had a chance to add to his heroics with the bat when Gloucestershire replied, but could not cling on to a sharp chance diving to his left at point offered by Klinger on nought.

Klinger lacked meaningful support as Gareth Roderick, Hamish Marshall and Benny Howell could contribute only 30 runs between them. When Howell fell in the 21st over the scoreboard read 104-4 and Hampshire were on top.

While Klinger was there, batting in a class of his own, Gloucestershire retained hope before Yasir Arafat struck what appeared the key blow in the 29th over.

Aiming a big shot, Klinger skied a catch to cover where Adams held on to the delight of his team-mates. There were still 55 needed off less than six overs.

An expensive over from Edwards followed which saw him concede five wides and three boundaries.

With four overs left Gloucestershire required 32, with Jones having been joined by Jack Taylor.

The latter launched Arafat over long-on for two successive sixes and a four as Hampshire’s bowling fell apart. When Taylor was out 11 were needed at a run a ball and Jones finished the match with a six over long-on off Arafat.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: "It was a game that went right to the wire, with so many ups and downs, and the great thing is that we are developing a good habit of getting across the line in close finishes.

"Jack Taylor strikes the ball so cleanly and he and Geraint Jones were able to finish the job after Michael Klinger set things up for us.

"There have been talks about the possibility of Michael returning for the semi-final or the final if we get there, but nothing has been agreed at this stage and I have no idea whether it will happen."