Hampshire openers stand firm against Lancashire
Jimmy Adams and Will Smith made sure bottom side Hampshire reached lunch fully intact on the first morning of their Specsavers County Championship match with Lancashire.
Smith, standing in for England’s James Vince as captain, won the toss at the Ageas Bowl and batted, before reaching 27 at lunch, Adams on an unbeaten 33 – the total on a patient 69 without loss.
The pair, on a flat track under mostly blue skies, spent most of the session in a watchful state – but the duo both opened up with punchy straight drives and the odd floaty shots through the covers.
Adams had bowlers howling three times, twice earning the umpires’ shake of the head for caught behind appeals.
He then got away with a dropped catch, by Tom Smith at second slip, albeit a tough chance diving low in front of him off first-class debutant Saqid Mahmood – who had a lively first morning.