Hampshire dominate first day against Leicestershire

Shane Warne may not be too special at winning the toss, he has lost three out of three so far this season, but it has not stopped his team from excelling for their new leader, taking a handsome advantage into the second day of their Frizzell Championship Division Two match against Leicestershire at The Rose Bowl.

It was slow going for the visitors on an overcast day after their captain had chosen to bat first, and for the majority of the pre-lunch session, the rate did not go above 1.5 runs per over. The first wicket fell with the score on 22 (after 18 overs), when the nagging Mascarenhas broke through Robinson's defence, followed soon after when Tremlett had the dangerous Aussie Brad Hodge caught behind for 1. Udal trapped Stevens lbw, but despite 11 runs coming off the last over of the morning session, Hampshire held the upper hand, and this was to be doubly increased within a space of 21 balls after the break.

Warne and Mascarenhas each took a brace of wickets as Leicestershire slumped to 70-7, a loss of 4 wickets for 1 run, including that of Maunders who had withstood the force from the start. It was nearly an hour before Hampshire took another wicket, when Tremlett picked up his second of the day. Leicestershire were soon all out for a paltry 139.

Derek Kenway and Michael Brown took the score to 23-0 after 6 overs and tea, and moved on afterwards to 48 before Kenway who had struck four fours, edged deFreitas to the wicket keeper. Will Kendall joined Brown playing sensibly to a ball that was still swinging, but they survived until rain forced off the players with 7 overs still to go in the day.

Hampshire will be looking to press home their advantage on Thursday, especially with the weather being a little unkind.