Hampshire Fight Back on Opening Day 

A vital half century from Adam Wheater (57) ensured Hampshire frustrated Warwickshire on day one of the LV= County Championship match at the The Ageas Bowl.

Hampshire recovered from the loss of early wickets at the hands of former England duo Chris Woakes (2-19) and Boyd Rankin (3-45) thanks to patient innings’ from both Wheater and Will Smith (43) in the afternoon session.

Joe Gatting (43) and Gareth Berg (42*) also offered important contributions, with the latter finishing unbeaten to guide Hampshire to 255-8 at the close

Hampshire found themselves in early trouble at 4-2 in the opening overs of the morning session, with both Jimmy Adams (0) and James Vince (1) departing in the first six overs to the efficient Woakes.

Michael Carberry (36) and Smith looked to have consolidated well to guide Hampshire to lunch without further loss at 61-2, however the loss of the former shortly after the interval, pushed Hampshire onto the back-foot once again.

Further wickets for former England international Boyd Rankin saw the hosts reduced to 102-5, before a valuable partnership between Wheater and Gatting halted Warwickshire in their tracks.

The pair combined excellently and after reaching the tea interval unscathed, both batsmen accelerated well to see Hampshire past 150.

Wheater, who demonstrated an array of impressive stroke-play, reached his deserved half-century shortly after as he looked to guide his side towards a commanding first innings total.

Gatting also looked to near his fifty but as the partnership approached 100, he was well-caught at extra cover off the bowling of Rankin to bring an important partnership to a close.

The departure of Gatting sparked a tumble of wickets, including that of Wheater, as three wickets soon fell for the addition of just 20 runs.

Despite the loss of both middle-order batsmen, Berg led the fight-back, and with good support from Mason Crane (12*), the duo frustrated the visitors late in the evening session.

Both Berg and Crane battled brilliantly to see Hampshire past 250 with just three overs remaining in the day, before the duo successfully navigated the final overs without concern. 

Words: Will Brewster