Hampshire Enjoy Positive Opening Friendly As Cricket Returns To The Ageas Bowl 

Hampshire's home pre-season preparations finally got underway this week as they secured a positive draw against Sussex in the first friendly on home soil this year.

Joe Weatherley, Jimmy Adams and Lewis McManus all struck half-centuries for the hosts, whilst Gareth Berg. Chris Wood and Matt Salisbury all claimed wickets, as the players enjoyed some valuable practice time in the middle.

Batting first, Hampshire were led by Weatherley's unbeaten fifty to see them to 127-6 from their allotted 40 overs, before a declaration was made to allow the visitors an opportunity to bat.

Sussex recovered from 9-3 to post 356-8 in reply, with Ben Brown striking an impressive century alongside good supporting knocks from Luke Wells and Luke Wright.

A second declaration then allowed Adams and McManus to return to the crease, where they added 127 for the first wicket before the players shook hands.