Warwickshire make slow progress on Championship Day 1

Warwickshire made slow progress on the opening day of the second Frizzell County Championship Division One meeting between the two sides in the space of a fortnight.

Choosing to bat first on the slow surface, Warwickshire stumbled to 50-3 against the new ball, which is always a threat at The Rose Bowl.

Double-centurion last time the sides met, Nick Knight was dismissed for 241 less than his effort at Edgbaston when he was enticed into edging Chris Tremlett to Neil Johnson for 14.

England hopeful Ian Bell and the returning Dominic Ostler were soon to follow Knight back to the pavilion to leave the visitors rocking.

However, Warwickshire captain Michael Powell dug in and, with Jamie Troughton resurrected the innings, combining for a fourth wicket partnership of 118 with the youngster taking control, hitting 63 in relatively quick time in terms of the pace of the innings.

Facing just 99 balls, he hit 11 fours, leaving his captain to remain stoic at the other end in support for the 23-year-old.

It was only when the impressive Alan Mullally returned that Hampshire brought themselves back into proceedings, snaring Troughton into the slight nick to keeper Pothas.

Powell, who received 273 balls in his knock of 92 was surprised by a sharply turning ball from Udal lurching bat-and-pad to John Crawley to reduce the Midlanders to a perilous 196-5.

Stand-in wicket-keeper Tony Frost stood where Powell had left off, batting with stubbornness - his undefeated 28 coming from a mammoth 120 balls - whereas Shaun Pollock smashed a six in his 16 before he became Mullally's third victim.

Mullally was not done though, as he captured Dougie Brown with the last ball before the close for 5 and Warwickshire ended the day, having faced 103.1 overs on 241-7.

However, with the wicket slow, the visitors may be happy with their days work.