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Smith scored 90 runs as Hampshire posted 370-6 against Durham on day one at the The Ageas Bowl
Will Smith (90) believes Hampshire are "in the ascendancy" after Hants scored 370-6 against Durham on the first day of a crucial encounter in the Specsavers County Championship at the The Ageas Bowl.
Fighting for Division One survival, Smith's 110-run stand with Jimmy Adams (53) for the first wicket put Hampshire on track for a formidable total and the former Durham man was one of four batsmen to reach fifty during a dominant display from the home side, who secured four vital batting points.
Sean Ervine (50) surpassed 1,000 first-class runs for the season and England's James Vince top-scored with 92 as Liam Dawson closed the day unbeaten on 47, with he and Lewis McManus (6*) just thirty runs from securing all five batting points.
Adams and Smith compiled fifties and established a 111-run opening wicket partnership during a progressive morning session against Durham, as Hampshire went for lunch 116-1.
Adams looked determined and composed as he made his way to an eighth Championship fifty of 2016, driving his 95th ball to the boundary in the 26th over as the home side passed 100 without loss.
Smith reached his half-century off 80 balls, scoring quickly and effectively as his former side took their first wicket, with Adams’ excellent knock ended by Scott Borthwick shortly before lunch.
The way we see it, we've won day one and Hampshire are in the ascendancy.
We're setting out to win this game and with four days of weather, we're in a position to force a victory and put it out of any doubt - that's the plan. Having a third century stand with Jimmy was really satisfying, especially given how important this game is, and having the right hand-left hand combination worked well.
It's a really good day for us and if we can squeeze another thirty runs out from the next thirteen overs then we've done a great job.
Will Smith, Hampshire Opening Batsman
Alsop, whose single took Hamsphire to 116-1 at the break, was removed with the first ball of the afternoon session, but James Vince ensured Durham’s joy was short-lived.
Wicked ball striking from the England man saw him race to a 48-ball fifty to help Hampshire move beyond 200 and secure their first bonus point of the match. Vince injected skill, dynamicity and an impetuous flow of runs as Hampshire assumed a commanding position after just 50 overs.
Sean Ervine got underway by spanking a short Pringle delivery for four, after Smith had been caught at point attempting to do the same thing against South African seamer Brydon Carse, and Hampshire’s in-form batsman immediately looked in good touch.
Hampshire were in full flow and playing without fear as he and Dawson secured a third batting point in the 77th over, pushing on without taking a breath after Vince was run out by Stokes, going for a quick single.
Ervine reached fifty for the fifth time in six innings, continuing a spell of remarkable run-scoring since his return from injury, but his wicket was claimed by Pringle immediately after the accolade as Hampshire’s ferocious hitting was briefly halted at 325-5.
Dawson, in good shape following his selection for England’s ODI and Lions squads, helped the home side clinch a fourth batting point in the company of Ryan McLaren (13), who had previously registered his first Hampshire ton in his latest innings against Surrey.
Durham managed to prevent McLaren from having the same impact here though, as Pringle struck for a third time and trapped the South African all-rounder at lbw, leaving Hants 352-6 in the 89th over.
Dawson and McManus will enter day two with the task of hitting 30 runs from the next 13 overs in order to achieve all five batting bonus points, with great credit going to the work of Hampshire's openers and thrilling knocks from Vince and Ervine at a vital time.
