CLOSE - HAMPSHIRE ARE 350-5 (POTHAS 28*) AFTER 99.1 OVERS

The previous highest partnership by a Hampshire opening pair at the Rose Bowl was the last thing on Michael Carberry's mind during his second Championship hundred of the season.

He had another painful battle with cramp to endure during his tussle against a Worcestershire attack that he and Michael Brown hit for 133 - Hampshire's record first-wicket stand at the Rose Bowl.

Hampshire closed on 350-5 after losing four wickets after tea - including three in 19 overs after the second new ball was taken.

That was after Carberry and Brown (73) produced only the third century stand by a Hampshire opening pair since the move to the Rose Bowl six years ago.

Carberry was hit on the helmet after ducking into a bouncer from left-arm quick Doug Bollinger but,not for the first time, it was soon after the onset of cramp that his innings of 116 ended in the fifth over of the final session.

The left hander batted for more than four-and-a-half hours and revealed he had to spend two hours rehydrating after chipping Gareth Batty's off spin to mid-wicket.

"I got cramp in the hands and legs so had plenty of water and powerades crammed into me when I was out," he admitted.

"At tea I felt okay but after sitting around for 15 minutes I cooled down and it hit me when I got back out there. It's hard work when the cramp sets in, my timing goes and it's harder to balance.

"It's frustrating because I wanted to press on and get a big one, maybe even a 200. I tried to keep going as long as I could but it was hot out there so I lost a lot of salt.

"It's a problem I've had since childhood because I sweat a lot. Hampshire sent me for tests during the winter to see what can be done but I can only make sure I'm as hydrated as I can be and keep topped up during the day."

Carberry had the sightscreen at the Northern End extended during the lunch break as he was struggling to pick up Bollinger's deliveries out of the tinted press box windows.

He gained some revenge for being "sconned" by the Australian by flooring him with a powerful drive that the opening bowler stopped with his foot.

Carberry also hit Bollinger and the rest of the Worcestershire attack for 18 fours, including a healthy dose of sweetly-struck cover drives.

One edge dropped short of the slips but his 192-ball innings was chanceless and he punched the air and raised his arms in delight on reaching his third Hampshire hundred against Batty just before the tea break.

Carberry added: "The ball wasn't doing much off the deck but I was happy with my driving today. I've tried to iron out a few things in the last few months, like my balance, and it was nice to be rewarded for long hours with the bowling machine. Paul Terry, bless him, has thrown his shoulder out for me but it's paid off!"

Play was delayed by 15 minutes and four overs were lost following a thunderstorm on Tuesday eveing that topped up the Rose Bowl's high water table.

But Shane Warne's decision to bat first after winning the toss was soon vindicated.

Michael Brown survived a caught-and-bowled chance on 29 against Matt Mason, who is playing his first Championship game for a year after recovering from a back injury, but looked on course for his fourth hundred of the season before he was bowled trying to slog Batty.

Brown helped Carberry to Hampshire's highest first-wicket stand of the season but, sadly, only John Crawley of Hampshire's top order built on the platform provided.

Crawley survived a slip chance for Graeme Hick after edging Batty's arm ball during the middle session and benefited from a missed stumping on 61 after coming down the track to the experienced off spinner.

But he showed his form of last season in reaching 96 before becoming the third wicket to be taken with the second new ball when a leading edge flew to extra cover.

Michael Lumb (11) was trapped by a yorker-length delivery with the first ball after the change - his fifth lbw dismissal in eight Championship innings - and the out-of-form Chris Benham (4) was also pinned two Kabir Ali overs later.

However, Hampshire remain on course for the 400 they need to accrue maximum batting points for only the second time this season.