Sean Ervine says Hampshire need a win against Glamorgan if they are to stand a chance of reeling in the leading teams in division two of the LV= County Championship.

Lancashire and Northamptonshire have started to open up a notable gap at the top of the table, with the chasing pack knowing they cannot afford to fall much further behind.

Sixth-placed Hampshire have the opportunity to make up some ground when they begin their contest with second-from-bottom Glamorgan at the Ageas Bowl this morning.

And Ervine insists that a victory is vital.

“We know we need a win,” he said. “We need to try and catch up as much as we can.

“Northants and Lancs have sort of taken away from the rest of the group, but you never know.

“We have to win regardless. I think all the teams bar Northants and Lancs know that, so it’s up to everyone, and hopefully it will be more exciting cricket.”

After concluding their Friends Life t20 group campaign with Wednesday’s win over Middlesex, Ervine admits it will be a readjustment returning to four-day cricket.

But he does not believe it will pose a problem for the players.

“It is difficult, but we’ve done this so many times now – four-day games, one-day games, Twenty20s,” he said.

“In this campaign we had a four-day game on the back of two Twenty20s.

“It is different, but we’re all well experienced enough to know the difference and prepare equally.”