On This Day: Vince & Smith Set Up Record Win

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

James Vince (240) & Will Smith (151*) - Hampshire v Essex, County Championship: 15th - 17th June 2014

Even in mid-June Hampshire’s home match against Essex in 2014's County Championship had the feeling of an important fixture on the road to promotion in this third season in Division Two.

On day one Hampshire batted first, and after the early loss of captain Jimmy Adams seven men got into the twenties or beyond but no one reached fifty in a total of 286.

By the close Abbott and Tomlinson had each removed one Essex batsman and they continued in that vein before lunch on day two. Essex were bowled out 165 behind and with time not an issue, Adams batted again.

Topley and Bopara removed the openers for 24, but then James Vince and Will Smith embarked on a stand of 387, scoring at almost five runs per over. Essex used nine bowlers, to no avail as Smith (151*) and Vince with a career best 240, took Hampshire to a lead of 601 runs – which proved more than sufficient as they bowled Essex out for 135 to win by the huge margin of 470 runs in three days.

It remains, by more than 100 runs, Hampshire’s highest runs victory margin. Three months later, victory at Cardiff brought Hampshire the second division title and promotion, with Essex missing out in third place.