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Report from day one of Hampshire's Specsavers County Championship against Nottinghamshire at the The Ageas Bowl
Sean Ervine (38*) and Tom Alsop (32*) ended a heavily rain-affected day one of the Specsavers County Championship match strongly, forging a 65-run partnership against Nottinghamshire’s stern bowling attack at the The Ageas Bowl, and finishing on 149-4.
Jimmy Adams (30) hit his 12,000th first-class run before being caught and bowled by Notts bowler Luke Fletcher, who dealt Hampshire a further setback by removing Liam Dawson with his next delivery.
Ervine and Alsop steadied a Hampshire innings interrupted by rain and hindered by some fine bowling from the visitors, and the two looked in good touch in the final session of day one.
In Will Smith’s first game as Hampshire skipper, Sean Ervine returned to the squad and batsman Tom Alsop was included - having scored two impressive centuries for the Second XI – with James Vince away on international duty with England, and Gareth Andrew making way.
After Nottinghamshire elected to field in an uncontested toss, Michael Carberry (19) forged a 45-run partnership with Jimmy Adams (30) - taking advantage of Chris Read’s drop in the first over from Jake Ball (1-21).
Carberry was eventually dismissed by Ball, edging to debutant Dan Christian at third slip when he had been looking assured alongside Adams.
Adams reached 12,000 first-class runs, keeping out the Notts bowling attack with Carberry and then Will Smith, but he was caught and bowled by Nottinghamshire’s Fletcher (2-29), who then took Liam Dawson (0) with the following ball.
The experienced duo of skipper Will Smith (16) and Sean Ervine (38*) patiently built upon Hampshire’s 60/3, before their patience was truly tested by unrelenting showers from lunch until tea.
Smith had faced 65 balls, watchfully scoring 16 runs, when he was trapped at lbw by Ball – Nottinghamshire’s fourth and final wicket of the day, Hampshire left on 84-4.
Tom Alsop replaced captain Smith at the crease, having scored two centuries for the Second XI in the week, and struck the ball sweetly alongside a hugely experienced Ervine in the final session of the day.
Ervine and Alsop battled defiantly against tough opposition and in spite of weather interruptions to forge a 65-run partnership, ending day one in strong fashion, reaching 149-4.
Despite a difficult morning session and a rain-affected afternoon, Hampshire will day two greatly encouraged by a fine display of batting in the final session.
