Carberry Half-Century Lifts Hampshire on Day Two

Michael Carberry (57*) led Hampshire’s recovery with an unbeaten half-century on a rain-affected Day Two of the LV= County Championship game against Durham at the The Ageas Bowl.

After bowling Durham out for 421 early into the afternoon session, Hampshire began their first innings hopeful of building a solid foundation, but the hosts lost three wickets in quick succession as they found themselves 68-3.

Jimmy Adams (5), Liam Dawson (9) and James Vince (19) all fell cheaply, but Carberry took the attack against a strong Durham bowling unit to bring up his well-made half-century.

The left-hander and former Durham all-rounder Will Smith (27*) rebuilt the innings with a partnership of 51 before rain stopped play with Hampshire 119-3.

Durham resumed the day on 278-6, and Gordon Muchall (145) quickly reached his 14^th first-class century and his second against Hampshire in the opening session.

Usman Arshad (60) played the more aggressive innings, and soon reached his second fifty of his career and although Hampshire’s bowlers remained disciplined throughout, chances were difficult to come by as the duo began to increase the run rate.

The partnership of 128 runs was the highest seventh-wicket stand for Durham against Hampshire and beat the previous best set by Danny Law and James Brinkley in August 2001 by one run.

The stand was eventually broken in the 117^th over, when Arshad edged Gareth Berg (1-61) to captain James Vince at first slip and Hampshire responded well again following lunch. Mason Crane (1-75) picked up his first wicket in first-class cricket when he bowled John Hastings (22).

Liam Dawson (3-70) then grabbed his 100^th first-class wicket claiming the scalp of Muchall, who recorded his highest score against Hampshire before then dismissing Onions (0) as Durham were bowled out for 421 in the afternoon session.

In reply, Hampshire suffered an early loss when Adams was trapped LBW by Chris Rushworth (1-13).

Carberry however, remained positive and despite the wickets of Dawson and Vince falling around him, he wasn’t afraid to play his shots, and the former England international reached his sixth County Championship fifty of the season to see Hampshire advance past three figures.

Smith played the supporting role in his first game against his former side since joining Hampshire in 2013, before the rain forced the players to come off with 19 overs still remaining in the day.

Hampshire finished day two trailing Durham by 302 runs and the hosts will be looking to reduce the deficit on day three which resumes tomorrow at 11am.