County Championship round-up: Warwickshire's Sam Hain arrives on the big stage with maiden first-class century
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Your support makes all the difference.Batsman of the day
Good judges had been predicting great things for Sam Hain even before the 18-year-old Warwickshire batsman properly announced himself in the County Championship with his maiden first-class century against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.
Born in Hong Kong and raised on Australia’s Gold Coast, Hain was described as “the most talented 16-year-old batsman in Australia” when he made his debut for Australia Under-19s in 2012.
But he has English parents and a connection with Warwickshire that began with a Second XI match in 2010, aged 14, on the recommendation of the former county captain, Michael Powell, who noted his ability during a visit to the Edinburgh school where Powell works.
The right-hander made his first-class debut against Middlesex at Edgbaston last month and today’s 134 off 284 balls, with a six and 14 fours, made him Warwickshire’s youngest first-class centurion at 18 years 336 days, 85 days younger than England’s Ian Bell was when he made his maiden first-class hundred in June 2001.
Bowler of the day
Tom Smith, the Lancashire all-rounder, claimed five wickets in an innings for the third time this season as his team dismissed Durham for 267 on day three at Chester-le-Street, setting them a target of 340. Smith, who has also hit five half-centuries, has 33 wickets and 451 runs in the Championship so far.
Extras
James Vince, the 23-year-old England Lions batsman, made 240, his first double-hundred in first-class cricket, as Hampshire, set Essex 606 to win at Southampton.
The Second Division leaders then bowled Essex out for 135 to win by 470 runs, a record margin of victory by runs for Hampshire and of defeat by runs for Essex, and only once exceeded in the history of the Championship, when Surrey beat Leicestershire by 483 runs at The Oval in 2002.
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