Alsop & Weatherley In The Runs On First Day Against Cardiff MCCU

Hampshire:
Alsop, Weatherley, Ervine*, McLaren, Wood, Wheater+, McManus, Taylor, Crane, Wheal, Hamza Ali

Cardiff MCCU:
Scriven*, Lawlor, Milton, Thomson, Herring, Cullen+, Holmes, Griffiths, Leverock, Westphal, Turpin

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 The Ageas 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.