First days play at Hampshire's new ground

A good crowd was in attendance as Hampshire and Sussex 2nd XIs met for the first ever match, on the Nursery Ground of the Hampshire Rose Bowl.

Sussex, winning the toss, asked Hampshire to bat. On the new pitch that had a green tinge and plenty of moisture under a firm surface.

The morning session finished evenly poised with Hampshire, having been put in, finishing at lunch on 98-4. James Adams hitting 29 before falling in the last over before the lunch interval. Captain Lee Savident was also a victim in that last over, being caught off Spencer for 21.

A heavy shower after the break, had the large support and players scurrying for cover and only ten overs were bowled before the tea interval. Play resumed at 4pm with Zac Morris and Lawrence Prittipaul sharing a century partnership to recover the innings for the home side.

Prittipaul hitting 45 and Morris following shortly after for a spritely 64.

At the close of the day, Hampshire were 232-6 with Iain Brunnschweiler and David Jackson at the crease. Patrick Spencer, making his Sussex 2nd XI debut, finished with 3-27 and local-boy Billy Taylor 2-43 off 22 overs.

Kevin Lyons, the senior umpire at the match, commented to the Hampshire Web Site that for the first use of the new wicket, despite the damp conditions, played very well which naturally led to a sigh of relief from head groundsman Nigel Gray.

Close of play on first day (of four): Hampshire 232-6 (Adams 29, Prittipaul 45, Morris 64, Spencer 3-27)