By Alex Smith
April 3-6, Utilita Bowl, Southampton
Essex 461-7 dec (Critchley 173, Allison 80, Abbott 2-76, Baker 2-68)
Hampshire 48-3 (Lehmann 30*, Prest 8, Cook 2-15, Snater 1-2)
Toss: Hampshire won the toss and decided to field Officials: Ian Blackwell, Mike Burns, Steve Davis
DAY ONE
MATT CRITCHLEY and Charlie Allison helped Essex recover from a Kyle Abbott-induced sticky start on the first day of the season. South African Abbott claimed two wickets to leave the visitors 67 for three, but Critchley and Allison put on 152 for the fourth wicket.
Critchley ended the curtailed day ...
