Hampshire v Essex: Home side bowled out on opening day

Bopara took three wickets but managed only one run on Sunday

Essex had the better of Hampshire on day one of their Championship game as they dismissed the home side for 286.

Hampshire were put in to bat and made a poor start when Reece Topley bowled Jimmy Adams for a fourth-ball duck.

The hosts were struggling on 208-6, but posted what may be a competitive total with the help of 41 extras.

Topley (3-65) and Ravi Bopara (3-14) polished off their innings by mid-afternoon and Essex then replied with 55-2 at the close of play.

Tom Westley was bowled for one in Kyle Abbott's opening over and Bopara edged a ball from James Tomlinson to the keeper, both batsmen departing for a single.

Having distinguished himself with the gloves after taking five catches, skipper James Foster then steadied his side with an unbeaten 26 from 32 balls before stumps.

BBC Essex's Dave Brett:

"Day one was a fascinating contest between bat and ball. There are clearly runs in the pitch, but with a green top and in overcast conditions, the bowlers are always in the game.

"The two early Essex wickets highlighted that, with Westley losing his off bail to one that nipped back and Bopara undone by a steepler that reared up off a length.

"The steady hand of captain James Foster saw Essex safely to the close, but they might regret the 41 extras they conceded with some wayward bowling, particularly from Tymal Mills. "

BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James:

"Seven Hampshire batsman scored between 42 and 24 despite the wicket and conditions helping the seam bowlers, although not excessively.

"Coach Dale Benkenstein said he hoped that one could have gone on to get three figures, but it was not to be.

"Essex were 2-2 in reply, but the bowlers looked as though they then got a bit excited and James Foster showed commendable calmness in a crisis.

"Hampshire will feel they could have been in a slightly better overall position after day one."