On This Day: Gower Makes Championship Debut

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

Hampshire v Sussex, County Championship: 15th May – 18th May 1990

In the County Championship – on the 15th May 1990 - Hampshire begun their match against Sussex at Southampton, one which would see them run out winners with a day to spare.

Sussex won the toss, on the 15th, batted and regretted it, with opener David Smith forced out of the game by a ball from Marshall with a damaged thumb, while Marshall added two wickets and PJ Bakker four as Sussex fell to 66-7.

A revival of sorts by Pigot & Salisbury took them to 152 all out but Robin Smith (181) & David Gower on Championship debut with 145, added 256 as Hampshire moved towards 600-8 declared.

Malcolm Marshall batting at number five scored 85, but while he went wicketless in 24 second innings overs, Raj Maru (3-49) helped to dismiss Sussex for 291 and an emphatic victory.

Neil Lenham scored 121 – Hampshire’s total was then their fifth highest in the County Championship, and it was their 10th biggest victory.