Adams' graft then aggression gives Hampshire slender lead

Jimmy Adams failed by four runs to register his second century of the season but supplied the bedrock, none the less, in a performance of welcome resilience from Hampshire, who may have surprised themselves yesterday by gaining a slender first-innings advantage over the First Division leaders.

Their record of four defeats in their opening five matches contrasts with Nottinghamshire's four wins from four and yet after Neil McKenzie, the former South African Test batsman, ended a run of low scores with a first half-century in the Championship, they at least have a chance of arresting their woeful start.

Much will depend on whether they can bowl as effectively as they did on the opening day in restricting Nottinghamshire to 270. This is still a lively pitch and variable bounce may become a bigger factor and their batsmen will not want to chase much in the fourth innings.

Pivotal yesterday was a partnership of 115 for the third wicket between Adams and Chris Benham after the loss of nightwatchman James Tomlinson left them 39 for 2.

Darren Pattinson bowled superbly, beating the bat often in a spell of great control in which he swung the ball both ways and found movement off the pitch. The solitary wicket of Tomlinson, caught behind off a thin edge, was scant reward. James Whitaker, the England selector, was looking on, although after the embarrassment of the "Darren who?" episode of two years ago, it will not count for much.

Charlie Shreck was no less impressive. Andre Adams and Paul Franks maintained the pressure and the Hampshire pair endured a difficult time in an enthralling contest.

The batsman Adams applied himself impressively, grafting for 153 balls over his first 50, although he should have been caught at second slip off his namesake's bowling on 37. Benham, who needed treatment when a ball from Adams hit his elbow, survived a difficult chance to the wicketkeeper off Pattinson on 20 soon after lunch.

The pressure relented when Notts turned to the spin of Samit Patel. Adams accelerated, adding 10 boundaries after his half-century, three of them in one Patel over, but Notts seized the initiative again when Shreck bowled Benham and were back in control when Franks, who had been turned down with an lbw appeal moments earlier, had Adams caught behind with one that bounced and moved away.

All-rounder Franks, seemingly a fixture in the side now that Mark Ealham has retired, struck again four balls later, James Vince chipping to mid-wicket, at which point Hampshire were still 102 adrift.

But then McKenzie and Nic Pothas tilted the balance in Hampshire's favour again, adding 74 in 23 overs. Ervine then chipped in leaving Hants 35 in front when their last wicket fell.