HE may find Southampton boring, but Fidel Edwards was enjoying leading Hampshire’s attack – until he was injured.

The former West Indies star tweeted “Southampton can’t be this boring.....#someonesaveme” and “There must be a nice Caribbean food place in Southampton” as he prepared for his Ageas Bowl debut.

 

 

But after impressing on his T20 debut on Friday he continued to settle in well on the field by taking four wickets against LV County Championship leaders Middlesex – only to suffer a shoulder injury during the final session of the penultimate day .

Edwards bowled with genuine pace in taking 4-100, with one fearsome delivery accounting for James Harris.

Middlesex slipped to 287-9 when Edwards delivered a beauty that Harris could only nick to a diving James Vince at third slip, before having Ollie Rayner caught behind shortly afterwards.

Edwards, 33, was evoking memories of his West Indies Test career. But then he suffered a shoulder injury - and Hampshire struggled in his absence.

While Edwards received treatment, a last-wicket partnership of 75 between Toby Roland-Jones (61) and Steve Finn (18 not out) frustrated Hampshire.

Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein hopes Edwards will be fit for the Natwest T20 Blast clash against Kent at The Ageas Bowl on Friday night.

“Fidel got a little pain in his lat, behind his shoulder, which is a big concern because he’s been going really well,” said Benkenstein. “The ninth wicket had gone down and he wanted another over to get a five-for, but he could feel it was a bit sore.

“It’s disappointing because he’s been excellent. He’s been talking a lot more and contributing and he’s had a smile on his face which is something he hasn’t had for a while on a cricket field.

“He’s made a huge difference. He may go for a few runs but that pace is something we haven’t had for a few games.

“We felt the Championship stuff was getting him going, he was enjoying it and you could see him coming out of his shell. I think he’s just got too many muscles, he’ll have to get out of the gym!

“If it’s not too bad he could get through Friday, but we won’t know till he’s had a scan.”

Hampshire will begin the final day on 4-0, a lead of 55.