By Huzaifa Yousafzai from Utilita Bowl
Hampshire scored 373 for 4 against Worcestershire at the end of the first day with Nick Gubbins and Liam Dawson finishing unbeaten on 153 and 102 respectively.
Having lost the openers early, a third wicket partnership of 129 and fifth wicket partnership of 199 unbroken led Hampshire to their large total at the close of play.
In his 45th County Championship game for Hampshire, Nick Gubbins scored his 19th first class hundred and is currently batting on his highest ever score for the county with his average for the club sitting healthily on 41.
All-rounder Liam Dawson also brought up a milestone with his 16th first-class ton helping him to pass 10,000 first class runs whilst averaging an impressive 34 and a half.
Captain James Vince scored 57 as his side set a very strong platform at the Utilita Bowl with Hampshire aiming to stay as close as possible to Somerset and Surrey who are ahead of them in the table.
Worcestershire are set to be safe from relegation, regardless of the result they obtain against Hampshire with Tom Taylor and Surrey loanee Amar Virdi claiming two wickets each for the pears.
Hampshire elected to bat first at the toss with Taylor striking twice early for Worcestershire when he knocked over Fletcha Middleton’s middle stump before Toby Albert edged straight to Adam Hose at first slip.
Despite the premature loss of both openers, Vince and Gubbins put up an excellent third wicket partnership to guide Hampshire to 105 for 2 at the end of the morning session.
Post Lunch, both batters marched on and crossed their half-centuries before Vince was bowled around his legs attempting to sweep Virdi and despite some confusion he eventually had to walk off for a well-made 57.
Ben Brown then tried to push Virdi into the offside but could only manage to edge behind to keeper Gareth Roderick before Dawson and Gubbins guided Hampshire to a score of 220 for 4 at the end of the afternoon session.
Not long after the Tea break, Hampshire put the foot down with Dawson hitting a flurry of boundaries before Gubbins brought up his 19th first class hundred from a steady 198 deliveries.
Dawson then brought up his fifty by depositing Virdi over long on for a maximum as Hampshire raced past 300 for just the loss of four wickets.
Hampshire continued to motor along as Dawson brought up his hundred and Gubbins passing 150 with the home side finished the first day on 373 for 4.
