Adams Century Sees Hampshire In The Ascendancy On Day One v Cardiff MCCU

Hampshire opener Jimmy Adams struck a superb unbeaten century to help Hampshire post a commanding first-innings total on day one of their first-class friendly with Cardiff MCCU.

Adams (182*) looked in excellent touch as he piled on the runs throughout the opening day, and he was well supported by Sean Ervine (65*) and Rilee Rossouw (61) who both contributed stylish half-centuries, to help Hampshire to 417-4 at the close.

After being asked to bat first by the visitors, Hampshire began brightly through Adams and opening partner Joe Weatherley (27) as the duo comfortably navigated the opening overs in difficult conditions.

Weatherley, who had found the boundary regularly to begin his innings, was removed shortly after however, with Brad Evans (1-64) luring a false stroke from the right-hander.

Rossouw joined Adams at the crease and started strongly as the duo saw the total move beyond 100 on the stroke of lunch.

Both batsmen preceded to reach their respective fifties in the afternoon session, and whilst Rossouw fell shortly after at the hands of Oliver Pike (1-64), Adams continued to show his class against the visitors.

The left-hander nudged into the 80s before unleashing four consecutive boundaries including a huge maximum to take him through to a deserved century, the landmark coming off 138 balls.

Although two further wickets fell, Adams remained resolute, and he was well-supported by Ervine into the evening session.

The duo continued to build the total further and a148-run partnership in the final two hours of play, including a well-contructed fifty from Ervine, saw Hampshire in the ascendancy to end day one.