EDDIE Abel will be out of action for at least the next month after fracturing a finger fielding in South Wilts’ 60-run ECB Southern Electric Premier Division victory over second-placed Ventnor at Bemerton.

The little left-hander was on a high after pointing South Wilts to a powerful 347-5 with an impressive 138 not out, writes Mike Vimpany.

But an hour or so into the Ventnor reply, Abel flung himself to his left in a brave attempt to catch centurion Oli Mills and was struck a painful blow on the end of his little finger.

“It fractured the end of the finger and I’ve now got it in a splint for a few weeks,” Abel explained.

Australia’s former Bemerton star Glenn Maxwell, who was watching the Ventnor game, whisked Abel off to Salisbury District Hospital, but it wasn’t until 24 hours later – on Sunday afternoon – the left-hander underwent surgery.

“I was in hospital for six hours and had a local anaesthetic.

“I’m out for a month, so that means Sunday’s Electric t20 semi-final against New Milton and the final itself, if we get there,” he sighed.

The injury to Abel was the only downside of a maximum-point win for South Wilts, which gives the defending champions a distinct 19-point advantage going into the second half of the season.

The top-of-the-table duel in the Bemerton sunshine produced a glut of 608 runs, two well crafted centuries, a gallant Ventnor run chase which reached a threatening 241-2 at one point, and a James Hibberd hat-trick to climax the occasion.

South Wilts’ towering total was built around Abel’s personal best, aided initially by Steve Riddle (43) and, post-lunch, by Hibberd (32) and later Joe Cranch.

South Wilts were 134-4 at one stage, but Abel, with a six and 20 boundaries in his undefeated century, and Cranch, who smashed 12 fours in a breezy 56, steered the champions to a formidable 334-7.

South Australia’s Travis Head took 4-98 with his spin, but was arguably overbowled when other options were available.

Ventnor certainly weren’t deterred chasing down what would have been a record total for a side batting second.

They lost James Cheek early – Jack Sheppard had the teenager caught behind by TomMorton – but Oli Mills and the lefthanded Head took the attack to South Wilts.

All was going fine until Head (48) played what he described “an awful cricket shot”

and was caught at long-off by Ryan Burl at 104-2.

Mills was batting beautifully and with Ian Hilsum (50) alongside, put Ventnor in a position where they had a chance to pull off a remarkable win.

The pair added 137 for the third wicket, taking the Ventnor reply to 241-2.

With South Wilts captain James Hayward keeping the game open, an asking rate of seven runs an over during the last hour was an option.

Ventnor needed to keep their wickets intact, but when Morton stumped Hilsum to give the leg-spinning Burl (4-67) the first of his four wickets, Ventnor completely lost their way.

The middle-order disintegrated and when Mills was caught in the deep for an excellent 139 – he hit three sixes and 19 fours – the end was nigh.

Ventnor went on to lose their last eight wickets for 31 runs – the last three falling to Hibberd (4-20), who celebrated a third league hat-trick.

But, having posted a hugely creditable 274, they played their part in a match which was a credit to the Premier League.

South Wilts play host to Bournemouth at Lower Bemerton on Saturday (11.30am).