Paul Grayson was pressed into action as an opener when Essex finally got under way in the Championship clash against Hampshire at Ilford today.

The Yorkshireman found himself moved up the order to partner Darren Robinson after Paul Prichard was on the injury list.

Prichard had not recovered from a wrist injury suffered in the last Championship game against Gloucester and one which forced him to miss the National League victory over Warwickshire on Monday.

It meant out-of-form Robinson, who would otherwise had been dropped, continued his nightmare run.

He made just four before falling to West Indian Nixon McLean. His dismissal brought Nasser Hussain in at number three at Valentine's Park, the Essex captain making his first Championship appearance since before the World Cup.

Hussain's first duties were to toss up. Hampshire's Robin Smith called correctly and had no hesitation in deciding to bowl first in overcast conditions.

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