By Stephen Thorpe in The Parks

First day of three: Hants (352-4) v Oxford Univ

BLANKETS, mufflers, woolly gloves and hip flasks were the order of the day as Hampshire eased into another season of hope.

Robin Smith, starting his tenure as Hampshire's captain in his 16th season, was not too perturbed having lost the toss, and saw the openers, Giles White, with a career-best 150, including 12 fours and three sixes, and Jason Laney, pile on 195 for the first wicket.

David Mather, a left-arm seamer from the Wirral, bowled tidily, but Ross Garland, a freshman from Durban, charged with the new ball, twice endangered second slip's ankles in his opening over as he struggled for pace and direction.

Laney warmed up with his fifth first-class century off 187 balls - the country's first of the season - before Mather clung on at mid-off. Smith went at once, pushing forward at Mark Wagh's off-spin before Mather finally held a return catch off White to allow Matthew Keech (70) centre stage.

Hampshire's Danish fast bowler, Thomas Hansen, is to miss the first month of the season after fracturing a foot bone. Hansen, 24, who was signed after impressing at the end of last season, was injured while bowling in pre-season nets.