County cricket: Hampshire bounce back and go top of Division One

Hampshire bounced back from last week’s mauling at the hands of Surrey to hand out a mauling of their own to Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. That was enough for James Vince’s men to go top of Division One and send their opponents into a relegation slot.

Though batting without wicketkeeper Lewis McManus – who broke a finger in the first innings, marking an unhappy meeting with his old Hants teammates – Luke Procter will not want to dwell on one of the worst defeats in his county’s history. But that is what happens when you’re bowled out for 63.

There were ominous signs for the counties that are already chasing Hampshire in both first innings. James Vince (186) and Nick Gubbins (125) were the foundation of a mighty 482 for eight declared for the visitors, with both men likely to be available all summer. Vince was unconvincing again last winter in England colours, so may be a full-time county cricketer again. But, with Keith Barker injured, James Fuller knew he would have a larger role to play with the ball than is usually the case and his pace earned him six wickets and his team a lead of 333. There was no way back from there when Northants batted again.

Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas (and Barker on his return) will be expected to continue to deliver wins like this one, but support players have to step up across a long season. There will be tougher assignments to come but Fuller did what he did when he needed to do it. That was the kind of performance champions can conjure.

The match of the round came between the showers at Lord’s, where Middlesex were largely outplayed by Nottinghamshire yet slipped away into the gathering gloom with the win like a cat burglar, swag over the shoulder.

How we scoffed with the news at the