Hampshire trialist James Bruce had to make the 98-mile trek from Somerset to make his first class debut - after Wasim Akram pulled out with tonsillitis.

Former Durham University student Bruce was at Taunton yesterday morning preparing to play in the Second XI Championship but was told to drive back to the Rose Bowl just FIVE minutes before play was due to start.

It meant driving down several A roads before arriving at 12.50pm.

"I got a phone call this morning just before we went out on the field at Taunton, we'd just finished our warm-up," he said.

"James Hamblin is injured at the moment but it was still a bit of a surprise. I thought they might have called up James Tomlinson, but he's got university commitments, so I was just pleased they asked me.

"Luckily I had driven down the night before, otherwise I would have had to go by train. I was stuck behind a few lorries and tractors but it wasn't too bad."

Bruce arrived in time to take the field at 1pm, when he replaced young substitute James Manning, but it was not until after lunch that he made his mark - with a sensational direct hit to run out James Bryant.

Bruce was fielding just in front square on the leg side when he ran out the South African after fielding with his first touch of the ball.

That reduced Somerset on 82-4 and was also a huge boost to the 23-year-old's confidence.

"The run out was my first touch of the ball all day and the first run out I've ever got so I was pretty happy with that. They hesitated in the middle, which I think let them down."

Bruce impressed with the ball, bowling nine overs for 24 runs as he enjoyed spells from both ends.

"I was very nervous so I was pleased to get a few overs under the belt and to keep it pretty tight. The wicket's doing a little bit. It's a bit slow but I thought Alan Mullally bowled brilliantly today."

Bruce drove back home to Petersfield, preparing to tell his parents all about his first class debut last night.

But his main objective now is to win a contract with Hampshire, having impressed against Oxford UCCE last week.

He added: "I think a decision is going to be made in the next couple of weeks. I was told at the beginning of the season that I'd be told where I stand in June."