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21st April 2010

Match update: Durham v Hampshire Day 1

Hampshire won the toss and having seen Essex prosper batting first at Riverside last week, they opted to bat first.

 The opening pair played steadily through the first session with Hampshire 105 without loss at lunch.  They went on to achieve a first wicket partnership of 183 before Ben Stokes picked up his first LV= County Championship wicket with Michael Carberry caught by Plunkett for 113.  Plunkett picked up his first wicket shortly after with Adams caught behind in the following over and dismissed for 68, leaving Hampshire 189-2.

Former Durham overseas player, Neil McKenzie, and Benham, were at the crease until tea and both went on to add 30 runs each to the Hampshire total with the former caught in the slips by Di Venuto off the bowling of Blackwell.

The visitors were 265-5 after two wickets fell in consecutive overs, Plunkett bowling Vince for 13 and Benham (30) trapped lbw off Blackwell. 

Ervine became Plunkett’s third victim of the day when he was caught behind by Mustard having contributed three runs to Hampshire’s total of 284. 

The seventh and eighth wicket fell within four balls, Pothas (14) and Tomlinson (0) both trapped lbw off Claydon.

At the close of play on day one Hampshire were 298-8 with Ali (9*) and Briggs (5*) set to return to the crease.

We had our close of play chat with Ben Stokes, “It was a good feeling to get my first wicket, it gave us some momentum to get some more.  I didn’t actually realise I’d got my first wicket, I was actually turning back to my mark so I didn’t see where the ball went. Then I saw all the lads celebrating.  Getting a wicket takes a bit of pressure off you and the way I got it first ball is a bonus. It’s good to get some overs in and get into the game.

“I think it was just the wickets that we started picking up. As soon as we started taking wickets on a regular basis the lads got up for it more and it turned our way. I think that was just getting wickets.

“We’ve got a lot of experience as a bowling unit. They’ve experienced a lot of cricket and a lot of stages like this in a game. The way they adapted to being under pressure and were able to turn it back around to the other team, showed why it’s good to have that experience in the team.

“The lads have been fantastic with me, especially when I was away on the pre-season tour. They’ve made me feel like one of the lads even though I’m only in my first year in the professional ranks. They’ve been a great bunch.”

Follow the action from today by taking a look at our Live Match Chat (www.durhamccc.co.uk/live-match-chat) Remember, this runs every match day so feel free to sign up and join in!

Highlights of day one’s play will be available from 9.00am on Thursday 22 April. (www.durhamccc.co.uk/durhamtv)