Alsop Impresses Again on Opening Day Against Notts

Hampshire:
Carberry, Adams, Alsop, Smith*, Ervine, Wheater+, McManus, Berg, Wood, Taylor, Wheal, Tomlinson
Nottinghamshire:
Taylor, Libby, Lumb, Mullaney, Smith, Read*+, Hutton, Wood, Carter, Kitt, Blatherwick

Tom Alsop scored a second consecutive unbeaten half-century as Hampshire batted themselves into a potentially decent position at stumps on the first day of their Barbados festival friendly against Nottinghamshire.

The 20-year old Devizes raised left-hander brought up his fifty just before the close as Hampshire made 95-1 at the midway point of their reply to Nottinghamshire’s 179-2.

Each team bats a total of 90 overs, split into 60 and 30-over ‘innings’  – the bowlers having to toil for their rewards, writes Mike Vimpany in Barbados.

Bowling on a benign rolled-mud surface in energy sapping 30C heat at the Windward Sports Club, set in the island’s principal sugar belt region, was anything but paradise.

Batsmen ruled in the sweltering conditions, with Notts opener Jake Libby carrying his bat for 103 not out and, for Hampshire, Alsop continuing where he left off at Kensington Oval at the weekend, where his unbeaten 74 swept his side to a seven-wicket twenty20 Plate final win over Barbados A.

Alsop struck eight fours in his 50 not out and shared an unbroken 82-run partnership with Jimmy Adams (34) after Michael Carberry (six) had been caught at mid-wicket off the impressive Luke Wood.

Hampshire’s bowlers stuck to their task well in trying conditions, with England Under-19 leg spinner Mason Crane catching the eye with a tidy 2-24 return off his eight overs.

Gareth Berg conceded only 14 runs off his ten-over stint, but finished with day with an ice pack on his swollen knee.

Batting-wise the day belonged to Jake Libby, the 23-year old Cornishman cracking a six and 12 fours in his unbeaten 103.

Former Hampshire batsman Michael Lumb (27) was one of Crane’s victims, while former Zimbabwean Test cricketer Brendon Taylor had to retire through heat exhaustion, such were the conditions.

Words: Mike Vimpany