Nic Pothas revealed that the Hampshire Hawks went back to basics in beating the Middlesex Crusaders at the Rose Bowl yesterday.

Pothas's 114 was his first one-day hundred for two years and helped the Hawks begin their Friends Provident Trophy south conference campaign with a comfortable 91-run win.

Hampshire were without four first-team players through injury but displayed their strength in depth by starting the season with a convincing victory.

Pothas said: "We couldn't wait to get started.

"Everyone else began last week so we've had a long pre season and have been raring to go.

"There were 16 centuries in the first round of championship games.

"Lots of guys are churning them out because we've had such a dry start to the summer, but this was probably my best one-day hundred for Hampshire because we were up against a good attack that bowled well.

"I probably wouldn't have opened if Michael Carberry was fit.

"Michael Lumb and John Crawley could have opened but a lot of faith was put in me, this was a great opportunity for me and good fun.

"It was hard to get the ball away at times but I was really lucky to have some awesome stroke-makers around me.

"We've got too many good players not to perform in one-day cricket this season".

For full story, and full report and pictures from the Rose Bowl, don't miss today's Daily Echo.