Indian seamer Abhijeet Saranath took four wickets in his first meaningful bowling spell, but was unable to save Basingstoke & North Hants from defeat by the Hampshire Academy.

They lie second in the ECB Southern Premier League behind Bashley (Rydal), writes Mike Vimpany.

Saranath took 4-38, but Basingstoke's modest 200 was chased down on the Nursery ground - teenage Andover prospect Sam Ashman (44) continuing his run-scoring form as the Academy won by three wickets.

Dubs Wood (67) made his highest score for three seasons and seasoned opener Richard Vinn scored 37 for Basingstoke, but Compton & Chandler's Ford raised seamer Ethan Sundram (4-48) and Teddington-based left-arm spinner Sam Davis (3-40) prevailed with the ball.

Despite fielding only five of their regular side, the Academy won comfortably - Ashman, who played two match-winning innings of 68 and 48 not out for Hampshire in last week's Second  XI Championship victory over Sussex, hit eight fours before becoming a second victim for Saranath.

Ben Mayes (43), Andrew MacEwen (37) and Eddie Jack (21) kept the scoreboard ticking before Greg Donaldson (2-27) picked up two late wickets.