Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the LV= Insurance County Championship...
Fixture: Hampshire v Leicestershire
Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Dates: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Saturday, May 22, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Leicestershire travel to Southampton in search of their first win of the season against Hampshire.
Hants are currently third in a competitive Group Two only 13 points behind leaders Gloucestershire. They made it three wins from six after skirting around the rain to beat a demoralised Middlesex at Lord's.
The Foxes are propping up the table but have a game in hand over all those sides immediately above them, giving them the chance to make up ground after a wet week. But they are one of three sides yet to break their duck at the start of the campaign.
Who's in form?
Lewis Hill has been among the positives for Leicestershire thanks to his 499 runs in nine innings. Sam Evans meanwhile has three hundreds and has been imperious at the top of the order. Chris Wright has ploughed a lone furrow with 17 wickets but needs support.
Hampshire were unable to amend some of their recent batting woes at the home of cricket and has been the bowling department which has produced their best performances this term. Kyle Abbott led the way against Middlesex with match figures of 11 for 85 to leapfrog Mohammad Abbas in the wicket-taking standings.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Hampshire: WLLDW
Leicestershire: DLLDL
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 168
Hampshire wins: 56
Leicestershire wins: 42
Draws: 70
Abandoned: 1
What's the team news?
Hampshire: Mason Crane returns after missing the win over Middlesex and joins the XI which played at Lord's. Cameron Steel and Scott Currie miss out.
Squad: James Vince, Lewis McManus, Kyle Abbott, Mohammad Abbas, Tom Alsop, Joe Weatherley, Keith Barker, Brad Wheal, Liam Dawson, Sam Northeast, Ian Holland, Mason Crane (32)
Leicestershire: Just one change for the visitors from the draw with Surrey, with new face Louis Kimber added to the group as Ben Mike sits out.
Squad: Colin Ackermann (C), Hassan Azad, Ed Barnes, Alex Evans, Sam Evans, Gavin Griffiths, Marcus Harris, Lewis Hill, Louis Kimber, Callum Parkinson, Rishi Patel, Harry Swindells (wk), Chris Wright.
Latest Hampshire news: Click here
Latest Leicestershire news: Click here
Who's said what?
Leicestershire head coach Paul Nixon is thrilled to have more selection dilemmas after adding Loughborough University student Louis Kimber to their squad this week
"It has been very difficult who we pick because the guys are so close ability-wise," he told the Talking Foxes podcast.
"We do our stats and we've got our analysis guys in the background. Dan Weston looks at our recruitment and he's been outstanding.
"We've got three days off (after Hampshire) and we're going to do some white-ball stuff. We want to hit that hard straight away which is crucial. It's going to be an exciting few days."
What's the weather forecast?
Strong winds and light showers are predicted during the first three days in Southampton. Sunday is predicted to be dry with sunny spells and moderate wind. Highs are around 14 degrees Celsius and will drop to lows of seven degrees Celsius making it yet again a chilly affair across all four days.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for the Ageas Bowl: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Hampshire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: Attendance is for members only via a ballot. This will remain until June 21 after the next stage of lockdown easing.
Travel
Address: Botley Rd, West End, Southampton SO30 3XH
Walking: If you are walking to The Ageas Bowl, make your way along Botley Road until you reach Marshall Drive and the giant set of cricket stumps.
Then walk up Marshall Drive and head straight over the roundabout for the ground
By train: Hedge End train station is less than two miles away, approximately a 35-minute walk from The Ageas Bowl.
The No.8 bus service connects the stadium with Hedge End train station, Southampton Civic Centre or Southampton City Centre.
By Car: The Ageas Bowl is just 1.2 miles from the M27, Junction 7. When exiting the motorway follow signs for The Ageas Bowl.
The Ageas Bowl offers complimentary parking for those attending meetings, weddings or events at the venue.
Cycling: There is also a free bicycle storage facility. This is located near the Hampshire Wellbeing Centre, located opposite the East Gate of the main stadium.
Prediction?
With Leicestershire searching for their first win of the season they'll be encouraged by some recent failings by the Hampshire batting line-up. But the hosts have the edge with the ball and that should be enough to secure the win.
OTHER ROUND SEVEN PREVIEWS
Group 1
Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Group 2
Group 3
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