COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, New Road:
Hampshire 357-8 (Hants 4pts, Worcestershire 2pts)
9-12 September 2009

Nic Pothas top scored with 93 in only his second knock since early July

Jimmy Adams and Nic Pothas were both out in the 90s as relegation battlers Hampshire claimed four precious bonus points against doomed Worcestershire.

Their fourth-wicket partnership of 161 from 38 overs created a strong platform as Hampshire recovered from 119-4 to post 357-8 by the close on day one.

Pothas made 93, while Adams made 92 before becoming one of two victims of occasional off-spinner Moeen Ali.

Worcestershire's relegation could be confirmed by the end of the second day.

If they are bowled out for less than 200 and do not pick up any batting points, then one bowling point for Sussex at Hove against Warwickshire would finally release the trapdoor to Division Two.

Of more relevance to this contest is whether Hampshire, who started the game in eighth place, can win to haul themselves out of the bottom two.

With their last two matches against champions-elect Durham and fellow strugglers Yorkshire, they really need to exploit Worcestershire's troubles by completing a season's double over a team who have not won in the Championship for a year.

And, thanks to Adams and Pothas, they have got off to a great start.

In recent weeks Worcestershire have had mixed results when putting opponents into bat on grassy pitches and the latest gamble by Vikram Solanki seemed to be paying off in a tricky morning for Hampshire's top order.

Initially held up by an opening partnership of 50, the seamers began to make progress when Liam Dawson, after edging more than one of his six fours, was caught behind for 37 off the fast-improving Richard Jones.

A good low catch by Ben Smith at first slip then gave left-armer Jack Shantry the wicket of Michael Lumb. And, after missing four matches with a side strain, Chris Whelan ended a high-risk innings by James Vince.

The England Under-19 batsman was nearly caught at mid-on in getting off the mark and edged over wicketkeeper Steven Davies before narrowly clearing Shantry for a six over long leg. But, after facing 12 balls for 16, his luck then ran out with a catch for Davies.

Davies completed another dismissal after lunch when Jones beat Sean Ervine with late movement.

But Adams anchored Hampshire in a watchful innings spanning more than four-and-a-half hours.

While the patient left-hander hit 15 fours from 197 balls, Pothas was more positive, facing only 62 deliveries to reach 50, and in all he found the boundary 19 times.

Moeen finally made the breakthrough when Adams was leg before, playing back to a quicker ball. And Shantry then had Pothas caught at cover for 93.

After taking only one wicket in 26 previous overs this summer, Moeen then bagged two in a day when a rash shot helped him bowl visiting skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas.

And the twists and turns continued with a lively 28 by Imran Tahir until he was caught at second slip off Matt Mason.

But a disciplined 28 not out by Dominic Cork, backed by James Tomlinson (16 not out), has already earned Hampshire a fourth batting point. And few would bet against them adding a fifth on Thursday morning.

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