Vince's hundred adds a touch of quality

Hampshire 302 for 6 (Vince 103, Rossouw 54*, Onions 4-64) v Lancashire
Scorecard

James Vince hit 103 to put Hampshire in control after day one of their Specsavers County Championship match against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford, closing on 302 for 6.

Vince would have his mind set on what could prove to be a vital relegation match between the two sides in sixth and seventh in

On a perfect morning for cricket, captain Vince won the toss and elected to bat first. He may have been questioning his decision momentarily when opening partner Joe Weatherley edged the 19th ball of the morning behind for a duck to give Dane Vilas a routine catch off the bowling of four-wicket seamer Graham Onions.

At 7 for 1, it was time for the visitors to knuckle down and rebuild after the early setback. Both Vince and new man Jimmy Adams did exactly that as the pair batted positively to put pressure on the Lancashire bowlers.

Despite getting off to a flyer, Vince did give a chance, albeit a difficult one, on 20 - hitting the ball hard to Steven Parry who couldn't cling on at extra-cover.

Vince's eyes lit up when Vilas introduced the spinner as he upped his strike rate before moving to his half-century off 66 balls, hitting six fours and a six in the process.

The pair brought up the hundred partnership off 140 balls and Hampshire reached lunch on 113 for 1.

The afternoon session began the same way as the morning - Hampshire losing an early wicket.

Whatever Onions had for lunch had him fired up and ready to go. The 35-year-old sent the middle stump of Jimmy Adams (44) cartwheeling with the fourth ball after the interval.

Sam Northeast supported his skipper nicely and the pair put on 50 in 61 balls before Vince swept Parry to the boundary for four to bring up his century off 131 balls which included 15 fours and a six.

Vince was only able to add three more runs before Parry bowled a ball which pitched on middle and leg and turned to hit the top of off stump. This left Hampshire 187 for 3.

Resuming on 207 for 3 after tea, Tom Alsop and Northeast looked to press on and put their side in a commanding position.

Alsop gave a chance when he was on seven, hitting the ball quickly past Keaton Jennings - who got fingertips to it at fifth slip.

This drop went on to cost the Red Rose county only eight runs as Alsop dragged on for 15 to give Onions his third of the day, leaving his side 216 for 4.

Northeast departed four overs later as he was caught by Rob Jones at fifth slip off the bowling of Jordan Clark for 41.

The visitors lost a late wicket as Onions claimed his fourth after he had Ian Holland caught behind for 24.

Onions couldn't find a fifth before stumps and finished the day with figures of 4 for 64. Rilee Rossouw and Ollie Rayner were the not out men at the close on 54 and 0 respectively