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Smith Knock Can't Prevent Defeat to Champions Yorkshire
Smith Knock Can't Prevent Defeat to Champions Yorkshire
Report & reaction from Hampshire's LV=CC match v Yorkshire
Hampshire fell to defeat, despite an excellent innings from Will Smith (64*) on the final day of the LV= County Championship match as Yorkshire claimed a 305 run victory at Headingley.
Despite the loss of two early wickets, Smith battled brilliantly throughout to prevent victory coming easy for the hosts, and with some good support coming from young debutant Lewis McManus (28), Hampshire made life difficult for the reigning Division One Champions throughout the morning and into the afternoon session.
However some good bowling from the home-side removed McManus and with the remaining batsman falling shortly after, Yorkshire picked up an important win, with Will Smith finishing unbeaten for the visitors.
Hampshire began the day on 37-4 and faced with a challenging day ahead, James Tomlinson and Smith were the men to resume at the start of play.
Despite navigating the opening thirty minutes without trouble, Tomlinson (3) departed at the hands of England's Adil Rashid (4-48) and Sean Ervine (5) was dismissed shortly after, this time falling to other England bowler Tim Bresnan (1-25)
With Hampshire having lost two early wickets, Smith led the fightback on his way to a battling half-century, one which he brought up just before the lunch interval.
He was well-supported by McManus who helped frustrate the Yorkshire bowlers following early losses, and both batsmen remained unbeaten at the end of the opening session.
However, shortly after the break, McManus edged a good delivery from Will Rhodes (1-6) behind to England hopeful Jonny Bairstow who took a smart catch, to end the youngster’s impressive stay at the crease,
The dismissal sparked a tumble of wickets and despite Smith continuing to battle hard, some accurate bowling saw the lower-order dismissed with spinner Rashid picking up two of the final three lower-order wickets, the 27-year-old finishing with four in the innings.
Hampshire will be looking to bounce back when they face Middlesex at home in their next LV= County Championship match at The Ageas Bowl which begins on Sunday.
