Two tons put the visitors in command

DAY ONE: Hampshire 431-4 v Leicestershire, Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester

CONTRASTING centuries from James Vince and Tom Alsop saw Hampshire establish a dominant position on the first day of their opening LV=Insurance County Championship match against Leicestershire, writes Richard Rae.

Hampshire skipper Vince was all power and timing as he took full advantage of some wayward bowling from Leicestershire’s inexperienced seam attack, hitting 17 fours and two sixes in racing to three figures off just 81 balls.

Alsop, who had just reached his half-century when Vince came to the crease after the dismissal of Sam Northeast, was less fluent, but while his century came off 153 deliveries (and included 17 fours), it was no less valuable to his side.

Together the pair added 224 for the fourth wicket before Alsop got a leading edge trying to turn a delivery from Alex Evans into the legside and was caught at point.

Vince, however, remained unbeaten, reaching his 150 off 140 deliveries before closing on 168 not out.

It is the sixth time he has made a score of 150 or more in his firstclass career.

Vince started the day as well as he ended it, winning the toss and choosing to bat first on a slightly drier pitch than might normally have been expected for the time of year – Leicestershire have two spinners in their side.

Ian Holland was the first man dismissed, edging a Chris Wright outswinger to wicket-keeper Harry Swindells, but Joe Weatherley looked in good order, stroking seven fours in going to 41 before top-edging a pull at a short delivery from Gavin Griffiths and skying a catch to Swindells.

Northeast was dismissed shortly after lunch, leg before to Wright to make the score 127-3, and Vince edged his first ball from Wright towards Leicestershire skipper Colin Ackermann at second slip.

It dropped an inch short, and that was as close as the Foxes came to dismissing the England international: from that moment on he was in complete control.

Leicestershire bowler Chris Wright said: “If that edge off Vince’s first ball had carried another inch things might have been different, but to be fair, it was the only mistake he made, he’s high class and batted beautifully after that, though obviously we weren’t at our best.”