Season Countdown: Less Than Three Weeks To Go

With less than three weeks to go until the start of the 2021 season and excitement building around the new campaign, we're counting down each day until the first game of the summer by looking back at some of the best batting performances from Hampshire players in recent seasons.

Each day we'll be remembering a standout batting performance, with outstanding individual contributions, superb duo partnerships and personal player milestones from a range of Hampshire players set to feature.

Take a look at today's pick and be sure to check back tomorrow to see the latest 'Season Countdown' addition.

Wednesay 24th March - 15 Days To Go

Ajinkya Rahane's majestic 119 on his Hampshire debut saw James Vince's side thrash Nottinghamshire in an important 2019 County Championship clash at Newclose, as the Club contested a first-class fixture on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1962.

Rahane's excellent 197-ball knock included 14 fours and featured as part of a partnership of over 250 between the Indian star and Sam Northeast (133), who also starred with a century.

Tuesday 23rd March - 16 Days To Go

A scintillating century from batsman Rilee Rossouw propelled Hampshire to their first white-ball trophy in six years, after his innings ensured a triumphant end to the 2018 Royal London One-Day Cup campaign with victory over Somerset at Lord's.

The left-hander struck a 125 off just 114 balls to help push Hampshire to 330-7, batting first in their first appearance at the Home of Cricket since the 2012 CB40 Final.

Rossouw set the platform for the equally impressive bowling display that followed as Somerset were bowled out for 269 in their reply, sealing a 61-run Final victory for James Vince's side and sparking huge celebrationsin the capital.

Monday 22nd March - 17 Days To Go

Legendary Hampshire duo Sean Ervine and Jimmy Adams came together to share one of the best batting partnerships in the Club's history in 2017, recording a mammoth record-breaking 367-run fourth-wicket partnership in a dominant victory over Warwickshire at The Ageas Bowl.

The experienced Ervine (203) and Adams (166) put the Birmingham side to the sword after coming together at 31-3, surpassing the previous 120-year county record fourth-wicket partnership of 222, set by Walter Andrew and Arthur Hill, and steering their side to a sublime innings win.

Sunday 21st March - 18 Days To Go

Hampshire wicket-keeper batsman Tom Alsop crunched a career-best to lead the side to a comfortable red-ball win over Warwickshire at The Ageas Bowl in 2019.

The left-hander's 317-ball knock - his highest first-class total - included 23 fours as Hampshire romped to a 314-run victory, a result that would prove vital in helping the Club secure a third-place County Championship Division One finish.

Saturday 20th March - 19 Days To Go

A superb hundred from all-rounder Liam Dawson, his first of the 2019 campaign, contributed to an impressive County Championship victory over high-flying Somerset at The Ageas Bowl

The all-rounder saved Hampshire from a below-average first-innings total having arrived at the wicket with the hosts toiling on 18 for four, batting Hampshire into a strong position with his 103 from 156 balls.

Paired with Kyle Abbott's astonshing 17-wicket match haul in that contest, the duo's contributions would secure a thrilling red-ball win.

Friday 19th March - 20 Days To Go

A stunning century from captain James Vince saw Hampshire claim an emphatic One-Day Cup Semi-Final victory against Yorkshire at The Ageas Bowl, sealing a Final berth.

His magnificent 171 from just 126 balls helped guide his side to a superb victory, laying the foundation for the Club's first white-ball trophy triumph since 2012 which would follow two weeks later.

Thursday 18th March - 21 Days To Go

An incredible first-innings knock of 169 from Sam Northeast helped Hampshire claim a thumping innings victory over eventual County Championship champions Essex in the 2019 competition curtain-raiser.

Whilst his innings guided Hampshire to an impressive opening win, it would be a sign of things to come from the right-hander as he went on to total a mammoth 1,123 First-Class runs that summer, helping Hampshire secure a third-place competition finish.