Match Preview: Hampshire v Yorkshire - Specsavers County Championship

Hampshire will be looking to secure back-to-back victories to start this year’s Specsavers County Championship campaign, as James Vince’s side face Yorkshire in their second four-day fixture of the season at the The Ageas Bowl, beginning tomorrow.

Hampshire Squad:

Hampshire make just one change to the team that claimed an impressive innings victory over Essex in last week’s curtain-raiser, with wicket keeper-batsman Lewis McManus replacing Tom Alsop who is unavailable after suffering an injury to his left-thumb on day three against Ryan ten Doeschate’s side.

Sam Northeast, who struck his second Championship century in a Hampshire shirt last week, will be hoping to continue his good form, whilst Kyle Abbott and Fidel Edwards, who both claimed excellent five-wicket hauls in the season opener, will also be hoping to add to their tallies in good style this week.

The Opposition:

Yorkshire secured a fourth-place finish in Division One last season, picking up five victories in their 14 matches to ensure safety and a top-half finish in the top tier. Steven Patterson’s side showed excellent grit and determination in their first fixture of the year, claiming a comfortable draw against Nottinghamshire after batting out the final day for the loss of just two wickets.

England Test captain Joe Root was instrumental to that success as he struck an unbeaten century, sharing a 153-run partnership with Gary Ballance who also recorded three-figures, and he’ll no doubt be the visitors’ dangerman this week.

Did You Know?

• Hampshire are unbeaten in the last six first-class matches against Yorkshire.
• Kyle Abbott’s claimed his best figures for Hampshire (7-41) against Yorkshire in 2017.
• Gareth Berg’s highest score for Hampshire (99*) came against Yorkshire at the The Ageas Bowl in 2017.

Full Hampshire Squad:

Coverage:

Match updates will be available via the Hampshire Cricket social media channels, whilst ball-by-ball coverage and match highlights will be available at ageasbowl.com/cricket.

There will be ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Radio Solent online at bbc.co.uk.

Weather Forecast:

Please follow the link for the latest weather forecast for The Ageas Bowl: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcp19y6c9

Activation: 

The Peter Cooper Motor Group will be present at tomorrow's fixture to offer a free ten-minute test drive of Volkswagen's new T-Roc and Touareg SUV ranges to attendees of Days 1 & 2. To book your complimentary test drive, please see a member of the Peter Cooper team outside the Arlott Atrium from 10:30am for a slot between 1:30pm and 3:30pm.

Tickets:

Tickets for all four days of Hampshire’s match against Yorkshire at the The Ageas Bowl can be purchased online via the link below, over the phone on 0844 847 1863, or by visiting the The Ageas Bowl’s Ticketing & Membership Office via normal working hours.

Phone: 0844 847 1863