Youngsters toil in the sun against Glamorgan
Hampshire Cricket's day started badly with the announcement that their Pakistan all-rounder had pulled out of his one season contract due to ill health, and the rumour mill was winding about the future of Ed Giddins, and Shaun Udal pulled out before
Vic Isaacs
15-Jul-2003
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Richard Hindley debutant |
In Udal's absence Hampshire gave a debut to 28 year old Richard Hindley, an allrounder who recently scored a century for the 2nd XI, and with Robin Smith and Alan Mullally still injured, John Crawley took a young side out to face the Welsh county.
On a hot sunny day, losing the toss did not make the day any better, and despite Glamorgan losing opener Jonathan Hughes early on it was a day of toil in the heat for the youngsters. The term "sticking to their task" would be a good statement as that is what they did.
All the bowlers performed admirably, although a couple of fielding blips proved costly. Adrian Dale secured his first century of the season with a patient innings, which included 19 fours. Matthew Maynard's class showed out as well scoring a superb 129 in which his stroke play was the event of the day. Hitting 18 fours and two hugh sixes, he batted for two and a half hours before Chris Tremlett snared him with the second new ball.
Tremlett in fact took three late wickets that allowed Hampshire maximunm bowling points, and at 436 for 9 the home side should feel reasonably satisfied. It could have been worse.
Debutant Hindley started well, but Maynard took a liking to his bowling, but much of the spin duties was performed by Simon Katich, he like Tremlett took 3 wickets, with the persevering Mascarenhas stepping in with two.