Worcestershire returned to First Class cricket with the visit of Hampshire to New Road for a LV= County Championship Division 1 match. Daryl Mitchell returned from his absence due to injury to partner Matt Pardoe in the top of the innings, replacing James Cameron. With Damien Wright returned home the overseas place was taken by Shakib Al-Hasan. The Hampshire team contained former Worcestershire player Kabir Ali, making a welcome return to New Road.

There was a scheduled delay to the first day's play as both sides had late finishing t20 matches the night before. Daryl Mitchell won the toss for the home side and elected to bat first in heavy overcast conditions, with the threat of rain showers. The start of play was delayed for half an hour after the toss due to rain. In the 24 overs possible in the morning session the home side made a solid start reaching 75-1. The only wicket to fall was that of Matt Pardoe, trapped LBW for 11 by Dimitri Mascarenhas, who looked the most dangerous of the Hampshire bowlers throughout the day.

Only two balls were possible after lunch before another shower caused the players to leave the pitch. The afternoon session only lasted 13 overs before early tea was taken after yet another rain delay. At tea Worcestershire had reached 133-1 with Mitchell and Vikram Solanki looking well set at the wicket, just short of the 100 partnership and both looking to register a big score.

The partnership was broken in the second over after the resumption after tea, just as the partnership reached the century mark with Mitchell giving a simple catch to Dominic Cork at point for 60, his highest score of the season so far, off the bowling of Imran Tahir. Mascarenhas picked up his second wicket shortly afterwards with Moeen Ali edging a catch to Nic Pothas for 1 to leave the home side on 142-3. The final session also contained a break for rain which saw a total of 26 overs lost from the days play.

Solanki looked in majestic form all innings, with some classic cover drives. He finished the day just short of a well deserved century on 99, after completing a 4th wicket stand of 108 in just under 27 overs with Alexei Kervezee. It was Solanki's fourth consecutive 50 in First Class cricket this season. Kervezee scored 55 in another bold, dominant innings lasting 74 deliveries with 9 boundaries but perhaps would have been disappointed to be dismissed in the last over of the day to a simple catch to James Vince off the bowling of Liam Dawson.

Worcestershire still finished the day in a strong position, and weather permitting will hope to increase their advantage on the second day.

Close of Play Day 1: Worcestershire 250-4.