Bichel was out just four short of his best ever first-class score

Nic Pothas and Andy Bichel broke a 20-year record as they set the highest ever Hampshire eighth-wicket partnership at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Pothas (139) and Bichel (138), making his debut for the county, put on 257 as Hampshire recovered spectacularly from 81-7 to be all out for 385.

Gloucestershire bowlers Steve Kirby and Malinga Bandara each took four wickets.

And the hosts then struggled with the bat to end the day on 25-2, Bichel inevitably claiming a wicket.

The Pothas-Bichel stand was the fourth best for the eighth wicket in all first-class cricket played in England.

The previous best by a Hampshire pair was the 227 made by Kevan James and Tim Tremlett, against Somerset at Taunton.