Wheater Hits Double-Ton As Hampshire Dominate At Edgbaston

Adam Wheater (204*) surpassed his highest first-class score and compiled a double-ton against Warwickshire, as Hampshire posted 531 runs with the bat and finished day two by reducing the home side to 131-3, now trailing Hants by 400 runs in the Specsavers County Championship. 

Wheater reached 5,000 first-class runs, moments after Sean Ervine (75) had hit his 10,000^th first-class run, as the pair put on a 144-run partnership mid-way through a memorable day for Hampshire.

Gareth Andrew (2-35) and Gareth Berg (1-34) further enhanced the visitors' position at the end of day two by removing Warwickshire's top order and restricting the home side - led by Jonathan Trott (59*) - to 131-3.

After a hugely positive day one for Hampshire, Wheater opened day two with his first Specsavers County Championship ton of 2016 off 147 balls, hitting 14 fours and 1 six.

Rain briefly interrupted Hampshire’s smart progress with the bat, but Wheater climbed to 140 before lunch, with Hants on 383-5 as Ervine replaced Mason Crane (22), who had helped the visitors secure a fourth batting point.

Hants went through the gears in the afternoon session, as the Hampshire batsmen accelerated towards record-breaking figures. They passed 400 and Wheater reached a lightning-quick 150 off 197 balls, taking advantage of the short boundary at Edgbaston.

26-year-old Wheater sped beyond his highest first-class score of 164, bumped along by Ervine, who was accumulating runs at an alarming rate to frustrate Warwickshire’s bowling attack.

Milestones were reached as Ervine surpassed 10,000 first-class runs, reaching 50 off 70 balls and taking the visitors to 500, emphasising Hants’ advantage in the game.

Hampshire were batting with real freedom as Wheater became the club’s fourth player to make a double-century at Edgbaston and hit his 5,000^th first-class run, crossing the mark with his third maximum and 27^th boundary.

After a completely one-sided start to the game, Warwickshire found a reply to Hampshire’s dominance through an exhausted Jeetan Patel - bowling his 48th over of the innings – who removed Ervine and McManus with consecutive deliveries.

Gareth Berg replaced McManus and hit his first ball to the boundary, but was trapped at lbw by Josh Poysden (4-85) who then took Andrew and Wheal with successive balls to end a terrific Hampshire innings on 531.

Andrew (2-35) and Berg (1-34) made an immediate impact with the ball and reduced Warwickshire to 11-2, as opener Andrew Umeed (0) and skipper Ian Bell (5) were bowled inside the first five overs.

Varun Chopra built 39 runs off 84 balls, but also fell to Andrew and Warwickshire - led by Jonathan Trott (59*) - still trail by 400 runs at stumps on day two.