Hales demands England attention

Nottinghamshire 301 for 6 (Hales 108) v Hampshire
Scorecard

Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales struck an impressive century against Hampshire to ensure that he maintained England's attention.

England man Hales classily reached fifty from 108 balls before only needing 48 more deliveries to reach three figures. Usually known as a one-day specialist, Hales has started the season with vigour and also smashed 236 against champions Yorkshire last week.

Having been put in by Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams on an overcast but bitterly cold morning, the Nottinghamshire opening pair of Steven Mullaney and Brendan Taylor started strongly.

The duo put on 61 for the first wicket against a mature home attack - whose fast bowling quartet of James Tomlinson, Andre Adams, Gareth Berg and Sean Ervine's combined ages totalling 137.

As the seamers writhed Adams turned to left arm spinner Danny Briggs, who collected a wicket with his first ball - Taylor bowled through the gate.

Opener Mullaney reached his patient first fifty of the season in 138 balls, while England one-day international Hales brought up his milestone in a more brisk manner.

The pair recorded the second fifty partnership of the game - putting on 84 for the second wicket under the floodlights.

Fast bowler Ervine made the important breakthrough of Mullaney - his 200th first class wicket for Hampshire - as the Nottinghamshire batsman chased a wide delivery to a somersaulting Adam Wheater.

Hales had a scare on 84 when he offered a sharp chance to Ervine at first slip, which was the only fright in a near perfect knock.

He is the highest run scorer in Division One this season - with 411 runs after his strong start to the season - and he brought up his second three-figure score of the season with a thick outside edge - his 20th boundary of the day.

Wickets fell around the serene Hales as James Taylor top-edged a sweep behind for 10, before Samit Patel and Riki Wessels identically edged to second slip Liam Dawson off Adams and Berg.

Former Middlesex strike bowler Berg claimed his second wicket two overs into the new ball when Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read mistimed a pull stroke into the leg side.

Hales ended the day unbeaten on 136 frustrating Hampshire in the twilight of the day with Will Gidman, 22 not out - the pair putting on an unbeaten 40 for the seventh wicket.