Alex Davies continued his impressive start to the Vitality County Championship season with an outstanding century as Warwickshire demonstrated their dominance over Hampshire.
New Bears skipper Davies has already accumulated 441 runs this season, representing over 60% of the runs he achieved in 2023. His scores of 36, 256 and 149 have been instrumental in leading the team to victory.
He was partnered with high-scoring Rob Yates and Will Rhodes, who have amassed 286 and 323 runs, respectively, this season. Warwickshire ended day one on 340 for 4, with Liam Dawson's double and a wicket apiece for Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas providing minimal cheer for Hampshire.
Hampshire head coach Adi Birrell had previously warned that the pitch had been designed to be identical to the season opener against Lancashire last week, which resulted in a draw.
It had been hoped that a change in ball from Kookaburra to Dukes might offer the bowlers more assistance. This proved to be ineffective, as the batters scored quicker, especially with a short boundary on one side.
Davies' decision to bat after winning the toss was an obvious choice, and it proved to be the correct one as he demonstrated excellent field management and boundary hitting skills. He and opening partner Yates quickly took control of the game against the over-pitching Abbott, with the South African going for 29 in his opening four overs as the opening stand reached 50 in just 14 overs.
The pair were coming off the back of an impressive 343-run partnership against Worcestershire at Edgbaston last week. As they reached 114 by lunch, with minimal reaction from Hampshire's bowlers, a similarly significant alliance appeared likely.
The pair were coming off the back of an impressive 343-run partnership against Worcestershire at Edgbaston last week. As they reached 114 by lunch, with minimal reaction from Hampshire's bowlers, a similarly significant alliance appeared likely.
Yates had reached his fifty in 80 balls but fell in the second over of the resumption after Abbott changed tactics. Abbott bowled exclusively around the wicket during the first session but afterwards came over and managed to get the left-hander to nick the ball behind with the angle of the ball across the batsman.
This breakthrough did not result in a collapse as the partnership reached 116 runs before being broken up. The 174-run partnership was then established.
Davies replaced Rhodes as captain during this season and the pair batted as one against a bowling attack struggling to gain a cutting edge. Davies reached his half-century in 82 deliveries and, despite being bowled by James Fuller off a no-ball, proceeded to reach a ninth first-class ton in 166 balls. Rhodes's batting was unremarkable, aside from a swept maximum off Dawson. His style of play ensured that the runs column continued to increase steadily. His half-century took 97 balls.
Davies was dismissed for 149 runs when he edged the ball to James Vince at first slip while attempting to work Dawson to the leg side.
A new ball soon after saw Abbas hit Rhodes on the shin before Ed Barnard was bowled out by Dawson to give Hampshire a more positive end to a batting-dominant day – typified by only 22 plays and misses.