James double-century bags maximum batting points for Nottinghamshire

Lyndon James masterfully struck his maiden double-century as title-chasing Nottinghamshire took control of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Hampshire.

James helped his side to maximum batting points with an awesome 203 not out, overtaking his previous personal best of 164.

With him, Jack Haynes took himself to a fourth hundred of the season - the most in Division One - while Brett Hutton's 71-run cameo allowed Nottinghamshire to declare on 578.

Joe Weatherley and Fletcha Middleton reached close with no damage for the hosts - ending on 90 without loss, in arrears by 498 runs.

The day was a procession of bat raises from Nottinghamshire batters - six of them in total.

Haynes was the first as he converted his overnight 70 to three figures in 42 day-two balls - 129 in total. It was the fourth time he had passed fifty, and the fourth time he had converted to a hundred this season.

But after a flourish of drives and boundaries, his 106-run stand with James was ended when Kyle Abbott got Haynes chipping the second new ball to mid-on.

Hampshire had an inexperienced attack - without Keith Barker, Liam Dawson, Brad Wheal and John Turner - and failed to build any pressure throughout the day, albeit with an unhelpful ball.

However trouble-free much of the bowling was, the batter standards were incredibly high - led by James.

The all-rounder kept up the scoring rate throughout his innings as he mixed a constant yearning for runs with a tight technique.

His one major life came on 94 when Hampshire missed a third chance in the slips during the innings - a frequent pattern this season, and one which was met by derision in the stands and by Abbott curling into a frustrated ball at mid-on.

James shook off the nineties nerves to reach his second century of the season, and the sixth of his career - one of real fluency.

Liam Patterson-White had accompanied him for 66 runs - one of six partnerships to pass 40 - before James Fuller pinned him lbw.

But Hutton - who will be replaced by Josh Tongue from day three onwards after his release from the England squad - arrived to ignite the innings even further.

Where fours had previously been struck, short balls were cannoned into the stands by both Hutton and James - combined they struck 12 in total - as any hope of containing them had disappeared for Hampshire.

Nottinghamshire reached maximum batting points - which could be crucial in their Championship bid. They had started the round just a point behind leaders Surrey.

Hutton picked out long-on for an 87-ball 71, but James kept going despite being disturbed by tea when on 197. He reached his double century with a flick to the boundary and a fist pump.

Nottinghamshire immediately declared on 578 and gave Hampshire's refreshed opening pair of Middleton and the recalled Weatherley a testing 32 overs - with Ali Orr absent with a concussion suffered in the Second XI.

As it happened, both breezed through with sturdy defences, although the defensive nature could harm their quest for much needed bonus points in the long term.