COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, The Rose Bowl
Hampshire v Nottinghamshire
11-14 June (1100-1800 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Nottinghamshire 305-8 (Notts 3pts, Hants 2pts)

Fletcher hits out during his innings of 92 at the Rose Bowl

Rookie Luke Fletcher hit a career-best 92 to rescue Nottinghamshire on day one of their County Championship clash with Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

The 20-year-old, playing only his fifth first-class match, came to the crease with his side in trouble on 147-7.

But he shared an eighth-wicket stand of 152 with veteran Mark Ealham (65 not out) before falling to Imran Tahir.

Nottinghamshire eventually closed on 305-8, Sean Ervine impressing with the ball for Hampshire, taking 3-22.

Fletcher had only previously batted twice in four-day cricket with a highest score of eight, but hit some thunderous drives in reaching his maiden half-century in only 62 balls.

And he took advantage of a short leg-side boundary to hit Tahir for three sixes.

He rode his luck along the way and was dropped by both Michael Lumb and Jimmy Adams as he and Ealham dug Nottinghamshire out of a hole.

606: DEBATE Unlucky young man. You deserved to get a century there - even if you were dropped twice st_brendy

Openers Bilal Shafayat and Will Jefferson both fell early on, to David Griffiths and Ervine respectively, and Samit Patel, who eventually made 41, was dropped before he had scored.

Griffiths also dismissed Mark Wagh and Patel fell to James Tomlinson before Tahir trapped Adam Voges leg before and Ervine had Ali Brown caught in the slips.

Ervine also removed Chris Read before Fletcher and Ealham came to the rescue.

Fletcher fell eight short of a maiden century just before the close, bowled by Tahir, but Ealham and Darren Pattinson saw Nottinghamshire past 300 to collect a third batting point.

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