Adams edges Hampshire ahead

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Jimmy Adams fell four short of a century as Hampshire and Nottinghamshire vied for second-day honours at Trent Bridge

Jimmy Adams enjoyed more success against Nottinghamshire as his patient 96 helped Hampshire eke out a lead of 35 over the LV= County Championship leaders.

The left-hander batted for just over four hours and hit 17 fours before he was dismissed by Paul Franks, having compiled his third half-century in his last three visits to Trent Bridge.

The 29-year-old survived one chance on 37, when he was dropped in the slips off Andre Adams, but otherwise batted calmly and picked off the bad balls.

Former South Africa Test star Neil McKenzie made 55 while Notts seamer Andre Adams cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-56, including the wicket of Rangana Herath off the penultimate ball of the day as Hampshire were bowled out for 305.

Having dismissed Notts for 270 on a green track on day one, Hampshire skipper Nic Pothas would have been delighted to see the sun beaming down over Nottingham in the hope that batting conditions would prove easier.

However, scoring proved slow going for the championship strugglers, who failed to raise their run-rate above three runs an over all day.

It took great concentration from Jimmy Adams to survive for the first 59 overs of the day against a Notts seam attack that bowled with accuracy and menace throughout.

Nightwatchman James Tomlinson was swiftly removed by Darren Pattinson but the hosts were frustrated by an obdurate partnership between Jimmy Adams and Chris Benham as Hampshire added just 59 runs in the first session.

Benham batted for 50 overs to make 38 before he was finally bowled by a big awayswinger from Charlie Shreck, but the third-wicket partnership of 115 proved invaluable.

Jimmy Adams’ vigil was brought to an end three overs later as he edged defensively off Franks to Chris Read, and the bowler was celebrating again four balls later as James Vince chipped to midwicket.

McKenzie upped the tempo with 12 boundaries in his 78-ball innings before Pattinson returned with the new ball to catch trap him lbw on the crease.

Andre Adams was then brought back into the attack and struck with his first delivery as Pothas was leg before to a delivery that nipped back.

Dominic Cork edged a wild slash to Read and David Balcombe was bowled playing down the wrong line, but Sean Ervine secured a third batting point with a four through midwicket before Herath edged to Ali Brown at first slip to complete the day’s play.