WHITEFERNS star, Suzie Bates, scored a run-a-ball 148 as Hampshire’s Women crushed Warwickshire by 93 runs at May's Bounty on Monday, writes ANDREW O'KELLY.

On a scorching hot day, Hampshire captain, Charlotte Edwards, won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on a flat Bounty pitch. Hampshire scored freely from the start, reaching 38 until Charlie Dean was trapped leg before to Katie Green in the seventh over.

A series of partnerships, all dominated by Bates, whose innings fluctuated between immaculate timing and sheer power, continued to move the Hampshire score forward at around five runs an over.

With the score on 169-5, Bates was joined by Edwards in the 42nd over and both temperature and tempo reached boiling point as the pair added 75 in just nine overs.

The former England Captain showed her class by scoring a quick-fire 35 off just 28 balls.

Bates, whose innings contained 15 fours and 2 maximums, was finally run out in the last over as Hampshire's innings closed on 259-6.

Of the Warwickshire bowlers, only Jenny Gunn (1-29) and off spinner, Anisha Patel (2-38) escaped with respectable figures.

After three hours fielding under a baking sun, the Warwickshire response never really got started.

A combination of accurate bowling and sharp fielding ensured that they were always behind the required run rate.

A partnership of 51 between Captain, Marie Kelly (34) and former Worcestershire player, Thea Brookes, who ended the innings undefeated on 70, was the only one of note as Warwickshire lost wickets steadily as the scoreboard pressure mounted.

Pick of the Hampshire bowlers, in a generally tiday all round bowling effort, were Cove's Providence Cowdrill (2-29), Fi Morris (2-28) and Danni Ransley, whose 3-12 in just four overs finally broke the back of the Warwickshire innings.

After a 6 wicket win against Notts at Havant on Sunday, Hampshire’s first weekend in Division 1 could hardly have gone better, they now share the top spot in the table with Kent.