A QUICK-FIRE half century from England all-rounder Liam Dawson guided Hampshire to a comfortable 41-run victory over Dorset in a T20 friendly at Bashley.

Dawson opened the batting for a Hampshire side who begin their T20 Blast campaign against Sussex on Friday, and fired 12 boundaries on his way to a 36-ball knock of 60.

In-form Brad Currie was the pick of the Dorset men in the first innings, posting bowling figures of two for 20, while Tom Robinson also picked up two wickets, including that of the second highest scorer Brad Taylor (39).

Hampshire closed on 173 for seven off their 20 overs and Dorset got off to a solid start in reply.

Opener Luke Matthews (14) cracked three fours before he became the first man dismissed with Felix Organ (17) quickly following.

Captain Luke Webb and Alex Eckland helped push the score along before the skipper was caught off the bowling of Dawson for 18, leaving Dorset 61 for three.

Edward Ellis added 21 to the tally before being run out and Eckland continued to reach 42, but his departure on 114 sparked a spate of wickets with both Robinson and Harry Fisher out for ducks off the bowling of Calvin Harrison (2-13).

Dorset completed their 20 overs, finishing on 132 for nine, comfortably short of the target.

Next up for Webb's men is a three-day Unicorns Championship fixture at Bashley against Herefordshire, which starts on Sunday (11am).