Carberry and Pothas dig in

Michael Carberry anchors the early stages of the Hampshire innings with a dogged 77 at Edgbaston

Hampshire were made to work hard to secure a first-day foothold against Warwickshire in their LV= County Championship Division One clash at Edgbaston.

A robust 77 from opener Michael Carberry and Nic Pothas’ resolute unbeaten 83 carried them to 310 for seven after a tricky afternoon session against the hosts’ young seamers.

Lancastrian Andrew Miller, on his championship debut, and 6ft 8in Irishman Boyd Rankin claimed the wickets of John Crawley and Sean Ervine, both for 30.

With the ball moving about under cloud cover, experienced medium-pacer Darren Maddy removed Australian Marcus North for 15 and, with half the side gone for 183, Hampshire were in danger of wasting Carberry's enterprise.

The left-hander probably guessed he was on for a good start to the season when the fixture list turned up games against Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

Six of his nine championship centuries have come against the two midlands counties and he looked good for another one when cruising to 50 with 10 fours from 72 balls.

Opening partner Jimmy Adams was an early victim for the towering Rankin, beaten by the bounce and taken low down at second slip by Rikki Clarke.

Tim Ambrose watches Nic Pothas provide lower-order ballast. He will resume tomorrow bidding to add to his unbeaten 83

Rankin, who played for Ireland in the final of the World Cup qualifying tournament in South Africa on Sunday, conceded only a single in his first five overs, but Carberry was able to score freely against less testing bowling at the other end.

Chris Woakes, selected for the England Lions side to meet West Indies next week, was not at his best with the new ball, while Clarke's first three overs cost 28.

Carberry hooked a short ball from the former Surrey all-rounder for six but, with 14 fours to his name, he departed in the last over before lunch.

Pushing half-forward, he gave Miller his first championship success with an edge to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, ending a partnership of 91 in 22 overs with Crawley.

Miller struck again soon after the interval when Clarke held another slip chance to dislodge Crawley and the third ball of a new spell from Maddy accounted for North, who was well caught by Ambrose, standing up.

When Ervine was lbw to Rankin, Hampshire looked to Pothas to organise a recovery and the acting captain delivered.

Liam Dawson chipped in with 22 before hooking Clarke to Jim Troughton at long leg and Dominic Cork stayed for 45 balls before driving Miller to Ian Bell at cover.