WICKETS proved elusive for Derbyshire on the opening morning of their LV County Championship match against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
After winning the toss and putting the home side in on a very green wicket, Derbyshire expected that if they were going to make early headway, it was going to be early on but that did not happen.
Hampshire were 110-0 at lunch, with Jimmy Adams 60 not out and Will Smith 45 not out. Though the wicket was nowhere near as lively as it appeared it might be, Derbyshire will feel they might have had a least a wicket or two to show for their efforts.
They were to regret a drop off only the fifth ball of the day, as Mark Footitt found the edge of Adams' bat but the catch appeared to on Wayne Madsen quicker than he expected at first slip and he could not take the shoulder-high chance at 4-0.
Tim Groenewald had one very strong shout for lbw against Smith in his first over and Alex Hughes saw two edges squirt just wide of second slip in what became a frustrating first session for Derbyshire.
It was an unchanged Derbyshire line-up from their last two home Championship matches, which were so heavily affected by the weather.
