06|04|04

Hampshire won the toss and decided to exploit the early-morning moisture, bowling first on the fresh pitch.

Former Proteas captain Dean Elgar was the first player to go, in the first over, courtesy of Kyle Abbott. Abbott would get his second wicket, Wiaan Mulder, in the 29th over, leaving Essex on 63 for 3. Then an 186-run partnership between Matt Critchley and Charlie Allison (80) brought the contest in favour of Essex. Another significant partnership was between Critchley (173) and Simon Harmer. The South African spinner eventually finished unbeaten on 71, assisting Essex to a solid score of 461 for 7. Codi Yusuf also picked up a wicket in the innings, that of Michael Pepper.

Hampshire batters in the first innings never showed up, as they were bowled out for 156. Harmer and Mulder got one wicket each, and, ironically, Harmer dismissed Abbott and Mulder dismissed his DP World Lions teammate Yusuf.

Hampshire were made to follow on, and things did not go any better for them in the second innings. They were eventually bowled out for 168, thanks to 3 wickets from Harmer and a five-wicket haul from Critchley. Essex won the match inside 3 days by an innings and 137 runs to make a statement early in the county season.