Mascarenhas brilliant century, but rain spoils 2nd Day

100 Up for Dimmi

The fragility of the English weather was further enhanced when, after a perfect spring day on the opening day of the Frizzell Championship match between Glamorgan and Hampshire, rain delayed the game until after lunch, with 38 overs taken off the days tally.

Hampshire soon made up for lost time, losing the in form Nic Pothas to the sixth ball of the day brought together Dimitri Mascarenhas and Wasim Akram, and together they compiled 39 runs in quick time.

Wasim was out for a smart 23, and then Mascarenhas took charge. With Shaun Udal as his partner he flayed the Glamorgan bowlers to all parts. He was particularly cruel to Robert Croft hitting him for four large sixes, one which cleared the pavilion area. The pair put on an unbeaten 105 runs in just 16 overs. Mascarenhas completed a magnificent century in 76 balls, his second fifty taking just 20 deliveries.

The century marked John Crawley's declaration, the tally of 531 for 7 declared was the largest Innings total for Hampshire against the Welsh county.

Hampshire claimed two wickets in 46 overs when Glamorgan batted, but they created more chances, some which were dropped, which should have put them into a stronger position.

Chris Tremlett took the early wicket of Adrian Dale, and Hemp was spectacularly caught by Will Kendall in the gully from Mascarenhas.

With the weather forecast against the match, Paul Terry's side will be hoping they will get enough time to make inroads into the home batters.