Tomlinson & Smith Impress in Sussex Friendly 

Hampshire:
Carberry, Alsop, Smith*, Ervine, Wheater+, McManus, Wood, Wheal, Tomlinson, McLaren, Crane
Sussex:
Nash, Joyce, Machan, Brown, Wells, Cachopra, Robinson, Finch, Hatchett, Briggs, Magoffin, Robinson, Whittingham, Hatchett

It was left-arm seamer James Tomlinson and skipper Will Smith who impressed in Hampshire’s two-day friendly against Sussex at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove.

Batting first on day one, Hampshire reached 202-4 declared from 60 overs with Smith top-scoring with an unbeaten 56 that included 4 fours and 1 six.

Adam Wheater also enjoyed some useful time out in the middle hitting 46 whilst openers Michael Carberry (30) and Tom Alsop (34) got some more runs under their belt ahead of the new season.

Former Hampshire man Danny Briggs finished with figures of 1-39.

In reply, Sussex reached 326-9 declared from 87 overs with Tomlinson the pick of the Hants bowlers, finishing with figures of 3-21 from 15 overs. The left-armer was responsible for the wickets of Matt Machan, Ben Brown and Luke Wells.

There were also wickets for Ryan McLaren (2-100) and Mason Crane (2-77) whilst Wells top-scored for Sussex with 69.

Unfortunately for the Hants batsmen, the rain cut shorted their second innings – as Lewis McManus (6*) and McLaren (11*) reached 20-0 after eight overs when the heavens opened.