Day One:

Openers Tom Alsop (82) & Joe Weatherley (83) both staked a claim for a spot in the Hampshire first XI for the opening Specsavers County Championship match of the season, after putting on 166 for the first wicket on day one of the friendly against Cardiff MCCU at the Utilita Bowl.

The pair impressed from the outset, and led the home side to 130-0 at tea after the whole of the morning session was lost to rain.

Alsop hit 14 fours during his knock of 82 whilst Weatherley hit 11 and 1 six during his innings, which became the fifth highest first innings first-class debut score ever for Hampshire.

However much to Cardiff’s credit they hit back in the evening session with Alex Thomson (4-79) doing most of the damage. The off-spinner picked up the wickets both of the Hampshire openers in quick succession and then took the big wicket of Hants skipper Sean Ervine (9) to leave the hosts 190-3.

Despite opener Andrew Westphal (1-50) picking up the wicket of Ryan McLaren (10) coming in at four and Thomson capping off an impressive day with the ball taking his fourth wicket late in the day, Adam Wheater (41*) kept the score ticking along to leave Hampshire 270-5 at stumps on day one. 

Day Two:

Lewis McManus hit his highest first-class score whilst leg-spinner Mason Crane was the pick of the bowlers as Hampshire enjoyed a productive second day of their friendly against Cardiff MCCU at the Utilita Bowl.

Resuming on 270-5, 48 from Adam Wheater and 68 from Lewis McManus helped Hants reach an imposing 369-8 declared just before the lunch break. All-rounder Brad Taylor looked comfortable at the crease during his knock of 36, whilst it was off-spinner Alex Thomson who impressed for Cardiff, finishing with figures of 6-138.

The visitors made a steady start in reply before trialist Hamza Ali (2-47) picked up the first wicket of the day to dismiss captain Brad Scriven (20). And it wasn’t long before Brad Wheal (2-21) and Mason Crane (3-70) got in on the act as Cardiff suddenly found themselves 71-4.

Jeremey Lawlor’s highest first-class score of 81 dented Hampshire progress alongside a useful 65 from Sean Griffiths, but Hants did pick up regular wickets throughout the day, largely thanks to late wickets for Brad Tayor (2-19) as the visitors went into stumps on 258-9.  

Day Three:

Hampshire’s friendly with Cardiff MCCU ended in a draw after a rain-interrupted third day at Utilita Bowl, despite the home side dominating proceedings.

An opening partnership of 166 from Tom Alsop and Joe Weatherley helped Hampshire build a commanding first innings score of 369/8, at which they declared on Day Two.

Lewis McManus hit the highest first-class score of his young career, before Mason Crane (3-70) impressed with ball in hand.

Cardiff failed to reach Hampshire’s total and declared in the morning of the final day, which was frequently interrupted by rain. Sean Ervine (31), Ryan McLaren (27) and Chris Wood (35) helped Hampshire to a lead of 237 runs before declaring for a second time, with Crane (24*) still at the crease.

The final action of the third day saw Cardiff accumulate 79 runs in reply, losing the wicket of skipper Brad Scriven (23), who was trapped at lbw by Crane.

Hampshire’s season gets underway on Sunday, when they welcome Warwickshire to Utilita Bowl in Division One of the Specsavers County Championship.