Dimitri Mascarenhas scored a career-best 104 to rescue Hampshire after a poor start to their match against Worcestershire at Southampton.

At lunch Hampshire were a precarious 79 for six after choosing to bat first in overcast conditions. But then Mascarenhas joined John Stephenson in a stand of 142 in 45 overs to revive Hampshire.

Stephenson took three and a half hours to make 51 but the Australian-based Mascarenhas went on to complete only the second century of his career. He batted for 165 balls and hit 18 fours before he was lbw to Worcestershire's most sucessful bowler Alagir Sheriyer.

Sheriyar finished with figures of four for 70 and was at his best when conditions were at their most helpful in the morning session. Sheriyar dismissed Derek Kenway, Will Kendall and Robin Smith in quick sucession.

Opening batsman Giles White laboured 27 overs for his 26 before becomming one of the two early victims of Stuart Lampitt. At the close Hampshire had recovered to 267 for eight from 90 overs with a further 14 overs lost to bad light.

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