Carberry anchors Hampshire

Nottinghamshire 3 for 0 Hampshire 300
Scorecard

Michael Carberry struck a second century of the season as Hampshire limped to 300 all out against Nottinghamshire on day one of their County Championship match.

On a good pitch, Carberry was the only batsmen to take full advantage as Hampshire's early season struggles - which have so far seen them lose five consecutive games in all competitions - continued.

Carberry and fellow opener Jimmy Adams appeared to be laying the foundations for a solid total after proceeding without major incident to 40 with loss. But after Adams departed, caught behind off the bowling of Paul Franks, Hants innings spluttered to a near standstill in the face of good bowling from Franks, Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson.

Only the impressive hitting of Carberry, no doubt eager to remind the England selectors of his undoubted quality, kept the scoreboard ticking over as Shreck rushed out Chris Benham and Neil McKenzie in quick succession to leave Hants on 77 for 3.

England under-19 star James Vince looked confident and played with great intent for a run-a-ball 39 as he and Carberry briefly threatened to steady the ship. But Vince's dismissal to one-time England cap Pattinson - which was swiftly followed by Nic Pothas' to the same bowler - tilted the initiative deservedly back in Nottinghamshire's favour.

Carberry, however, remained unmoved, playing with the sort of poise, controlled aggression and willingness to dominate which so characterised his performances last season and deservedly earned him winter international honours.

But while Carberry demonstrated tangible top-level quality in the watery sunshine, so his team-mates continued to flounder. Lower order cameos from Sean Ervine and Dominic Cork were both cut short in the early 20s by the spin of Samit Patel, heaping yet more responsibility on Carberry's shoulders.

Shorn of able partners and with his side still short of par on a playable and fair surface, Carberry sought to press whatever slim advantage remained available to the home side, with some expansive shots.

But with his on score on 132, Carberry finally let his vice-like grip on his innings slip, trudging off to generous applause with Hants on 276 for 8. The Hants tailed wag somewhat to drag the score to 300, but as the impressive Pattinson rounded off the innings with his third wicket, few could doubt Notts had enjoyed the better of an intriguing opening day.