Hampshire wicketkeeper Iain Brunnschweiler marked his championship debut with a faultless display in front of 3,000 Yorkshire fans, and admitted: "That was special."

Southampton born Brunnschweiler impressed as a wicketkeeping 12th man on the final day of the dramatic win against Glamorgan last week.

And yesterday he enjoyed an immaculate first full day of county championship cricket, in the absence of the hamstrung Nic Pothas

The former King Edward VI pupil is one of seven home grown players in the Hampshire side at Scarborough this week, and one of eight aged 25 or under.

After the first day of his fourth first class match, he said: "I've been waiting for an opportunity for ages and today was very special, especially because of the guys who I'm playing with.

"At one point I looked around the field and counted five of us who won the under-19 national championship in 1998.

"A few of the younger guys have been given a chance because of the way things have turned out and that's brilliant, that's what is supposed to happen."

Pink columnist Brunnschweiler made his first class debut against New Zealand A three years ago and has also played against Australia (2001) and Oxford UCCE (May 2003).

"I've been on the staff for four years and have had a few highlights so far, the tour games and a few one-dayers, but I've only been involved here and there.

"I had a nice little taster last week when Chris Tremlett and James Bruce did the damage, that was as good as it gets, but it's really good to be involved full time as it were.

"I was always positive I'd get my chance, now I've just got to do the best I can."

Brunnschweiler, whose contract expires at the end of the season, did not concede a single bye yesterday.

The 23-year-old added: "The ball went in quite nicely, it was fairly regulation for me. It's an easy paced wicket so it carried nicely but was hard work for the bowlers.

"They set their stall out but we bowled really well in the morning without any luck and then they dominated the middle session, but Dimi Mascarenhas and Twiggy (Tremlett) turned it round and got us right back in it with the new ball."

Hampshire last played at Scarborough in 1984 and the only surviving player from that side is Robin Smith, whose hamstring was not risked yesterday.

Brunnschweiler added: "I can't believe this place, it's supposed to be a club ground but it looks like it could hold 8-10,000 and the Yorkshire public love their cricket so much.

"It's a lot different to second team cricket where you're only watched by one man and his dog.

"Out here people are watching you, you get clapped, it's really good, I love it."

Former England bowler Ed Giddins is adamant he has a future at Hampshire. The former England ace said: "I want to get back into the first team and my fitness is not in question."

He has a fight on his hands, though, with James Bruce and James Tomlinson both impressing in his absence.