Pothas leads Hampshire into recovery

A classy maiden county century from wicket-keeper Nic Pothas laid the foundation from which Hampshire recovered from a troubled situation on the second day of the Frizzell County Championship clash with Worcestershire at New Road.

Pothas, entering the fray with his side wobbling at 81-4, struck 17 fours and two sixes in his stay that will continue tomorrow as bad light stopped play with 12 overs remaining on a bitterly-cold day in the Midlands - such a stark contrast to the basking warm sunshine of the day before.

Hampshire were delayed in getting their innings started by the Worcestershire tail who wagged a further 78 runs in the 15 overs it took to dismiss them. Kabir Ali belted seven fours and a six in his 40 while South African import Nantie Hayward smote 22 in quick time.

Ed Giddins ensured their fun ended with some haste and his 4-88 return on his Hampshire debut was a good omen for the rest of the season. Wasim Akram, also on his debut, collected 3-102 from 26 fine overs.

The reply could not have got off to a more shaky start as Hayward and Ali used the cool and overcast conditions to good effect. Derek Kenway was beaten for pace by the electric South African, ranked as one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, while James Adams, back from his Loughborough University studies for the weekend, edged to Steve Rhodes behind.

Robin Smith powered his way to 22 with five crisply struck boundaries, but he became Ali's second victim when trapped in front and Will Kendall was soon to follow, Hayward snaring him into an edge.

At 81-4, the follow on target of 247 looked a long way off, but Pothas joined Hampshire's new captain John Crawley, who was showing plenty of patience in his stroke play and a rock-like defence.

Barring one slight chance at 15, Pothas was excellent in compiling his first century for the county, just one innings and eight months after falling for 99 in his last knock against Surrey at the Rose Bowl that brought the 2002 season to a close.

The pair added 182 for the fifth wicket in difficult conditions as Worcestershire toiled and tried everything to dislodge the duo.

It was left to spinner Gareth Barry to do the trick as he was fortunate in getting Crawley leg before - if for the only reason being it was a leg stump full toss that the England star should have dispatched into the River Severn for a masterful 93. The statisticians put their books down, as it would have been decidedly rare to see two debutante captains recording centuries.

Pothas ensured his day was complete by bringing up three figures and with Dimi Mascarenhas saw Hampshire to the close at 267-5, just 129 behind. It could have been a lot worse but for the South African-Greek!