Chopra and Chanderpaul Tons Put Warks in a Strong Position

Sep 12 2011

Hampshire v Warwickshire
LV= County Championship
Day One: Monday 12 September 2011
The Rose Bowl

Summary: Warwickshire lead Hampshire by 296 runs
with seven wickets remaining in their first innings.
Warwickshire: 296-3
Full Scorecard

Hampshire Team
Adams*, Carberry, Dawson, Ervine, McKenzie, Vince, Bates⁺, Mascarenhas, Briggs, Wood, Tomlinson

Warwickshire Team
Chopra, Westwood, Porterfield, Chanderpaul, Troughton*, Ambrose+, Clarke, Woakes, Metters, Rankin, Wright

Centuries from Warwickshire batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Varun Chopra ensured that Hampshire endured a tough first day in their final LV= County Championship match of the season at The Rose Bowl.

The pair came together for the third wicket shortly after lunch and put on a 188-run partnership to help see their side to 296-3 at stumps.

It made for a frustrating day in the field for the hosts who will feel that there were opportunities for wickets if only they had managed to hold on to some of their catches.

The visitors will resume on day two with Chanderpaul (107*) and captain, Jim Troughton (8*) at the crease and two batting bonus points already in the bag – all of which could prove crucial as they battle to secure the title by Thursday evening.

The table... as it stands.

Before the game there were numerous scenarios that would affect where the Championship would be heading, with Warwickshire one of a possible three counties who could still claim the title. However, for the hosts, the maths was simple. Hampshire must beat the Bears with some bonus points to boot and hope Worcestershire fail to beat Durham for any chance of remaining a Division One side.

The hosts were asked to bowl and all looked to be going well when, just 5.5 overs into the day, they made the early breakthrough as Ian Westwood (6) edged a quick James Tomlinson delivery straight to the bucket hands of James Vince to leave the visitors 18-1. The visitors, however, got into their stride after that early wicket and, thanks to a 50 partnership between Chopra and William Porterfield, they reached 71-1 at lunch.

The second session took a similar layout to the first as Dimitri Mascarenhas struck early to trap Porterfield (28), before the visitors again recovered with Chopra passing his half century alongside Chanderpaul. The former is a hard man to get out once he gets in as he proved at the beginning of the season, having registered two double-tons in the first two weeks.

The latter, meanwhile, had shown what he was capable of when he registered a century on this ground last season, playing for Lancashire. And both were well into their stride, putting on all bar two runs of a 100 partnership, by the time tea came; Warwickshire 187-2.

Chopra reached his 100 (234 balls, 10 fours) with 20 overs of the day remaining and was swiftly followed by Chanderpaul, who’s much more expansive hitting (including two sixes) saw him to the mark off just 157 balls (14 fours).

Mascarenhas (2-28*) struck again with eight overs to go to give the hosts their first crucial bonus bowling point as he dismissed Chopra for 109. But Hampshire still have a long way to go to turn this around tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Hampshire's survival rivals, Worcestershire gained all three bonus bowling points and the upper hand against Durham as the Pears skittled their hosts for 264 in their match at the Emirates ICG. That means the equation has now changed for Hampshire as a draw for Worcs (with no more bonus points) will mean Hampshire have to score maximum bonus points to be safe.

Yorkshire were also confirmed as relegated.

Words: Ryan Day
Images: NJM Photography

Catch Up

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