Middlesex Crusaders opened their Twenty20 Cup campaign with a shock 33-run win under the Rose Bowl floodlights against much-fancied Hampshire Hawks on Wednesday evening. Shaun Udal returned to his former home ground and produced a man of the match perform

Middlesex Crusaders opened their Twenty20 Cup campaign with a shock 33-run win under the Rose Bowl floodlights against much-fancied Hampshire Hawks on Wednesday evening.

Shaun Udal returned to his former home ground and produced a man of the match performance.

The former Hampshire favourite grabbed an unbeaten 32 from 18 balls to take Middlesex to 190-7 from their 20 overs.

Udal then took 3-21 in his four overs, including the key wicket of Kevin Pietersen as the Hawks finished on 157-8.

Having been put in to bat, Middlesex - playing in pink in support of their Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaign - made a rapid start, 31 runs coming off the opening three overs.

Openers Andrew Strauss (27) and Ed Smith (27) hit out quickly and were well supported by Ed Joyce (34), Owais Shah (48) and Udal. Joyce hit two sixes while Shah clubbed five boundaries.

However, despite Pietersen's best efforts with bat and ball - he top scored with 43 and took 3-33 - Hampshire fell short, thanks mainly to former Hawk Udal.