McManus & Crane Impress on Second Day

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

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 The Ageas 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.