HAMPSHIRE skipper James Vince admits the opening contest of the season "couldn't have gone any better" for him or his side.

The England batsman led the scoring against Leicestershire with a double century 231 as Hants posted a huge first innings tally of 612 for five, before declaring.

Liam Dawson (152no) and Tom Alsop (119) also made it into three figures at Grace Road.

Discussing the successful County Championship Group Two opener, Vince said: “We’re delighted.

"Winning the toss on an incredible wicket to bat on for the time of the year was ideal, and a score like ours at the rate we made it gives you a bit of leeway.

“I felt pretty good, the wicket was so true and had decent pace in it and from the word go I felt in good touch and was timing it well.

"It couldn’t have gone any better for myself and the team.”

Kyle Abbott was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings, posting figures of three for 27 off 14 overs as Leicestershire were dismissed for 202.

Hampshire enforced the follow-on, where Mason Crane added to his three wickets from the first innings by leading the charge with numbers of 3 for 102, aided by economical spells from Mohammad Abbas (2-41) and Abbott (2-53).

Hampshire return to action on Thursday, welcoming Middlesex to the Ageas Bowl.