Hants struggle after encouraging start

6:11pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

CLOSE: Sussex are 316-5 (Goodwin 115*, Martin-Jenkins 59*) after winning the toss

Despite an outstanding opening spell from James Tomlinson, Sussex enjoyed the better of the first day of Hampshire's latest LV County Championship match at Arundel.

Both sides are without overseas players and Hampshire's prospects did not improve when Chris Tremlett pulled out with knee soreness' on the eve of this bottom-of-the-table encounter.

"It just needs a couple of days' rest," explained Hampshire physio Andrew Nealon, who believes Tremlett will be fit for the Hawks' opening Pro40 game of the season against the Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

In Tremlett's absence David Balcombe was handed the new ball.

He and Tomlinson did not disappoint as they reduced Sussex to 25 for 4.

After winning the toss, Sussex lost four top-order wickets in as many overs.

There was a slice of fortune in the dismissal of Michael Yardy (12), who was run out at the non-striker's end when Balcombe deflected a powerful drive by Chris Nash on to the stumps as he followed through.

But umpire John Holder did not hesitate as Tomlinson took the prize wicket of Chris Adams, lbw first ball to a full-length inswinger.

And after Balcombe had bowled Nash (10) via his pads left-armer Tomlinson continued his inspired spell (10-2-22-2) from the Castle End by trapping Matthew Prior lbw for a two-ball duck.

Hampshire enjoyed the better of the morning session but Sussex pair Carl Hopkinson and Murray Goodwin responded by putting on 194 in 58 overs.

They batted together throughout the afternoon session when Hopkinson outscored the experienced Goodwin in hitting his maiden first-class hundred.

The Brighton-born batsman received a standing ovation when he reached the landmark by lofting a straight six against Liam Dawson, who can be pleased with his first-class bowling debut after coming in for Rory Kleinveldt.

Hopkinson (106) was nearly run out on 25 by a Michael Carberry throw from cover and he was only on 32 when John Crawley dropped him at gully off Tomlinson.

He finally departed when he top-edged a pull in the fourth over after tea. Tomlinson held on to the return catch at the end of his follow through, but Goodwin (115*) offered no chances on a wicket that is very slow and low, even by Arundel's standards.

Goodwin added a further 97 with Robin Martin Jenkins (59*), who was dropped at the wicket on 54 against the typically miserly Dimitri Mascarenhas, before Sussex closed on 316-5.

Hampshire bowling: Tomlinson 27-5-81-3, Balcombe 16-4-43-1, Mascarenhas 15-8-21-0, Ervine 11-0-52-0, Lamb 5-0-46-0, Dawson 21-4-59-0, Carberry 1-0-6-0