Hampshire new boy David Wainwright ensured a 300-plus total against Somerset with an unbeaten 35 on debut.

The former Yorkshire and Derbyshire slow left-armer had been playing for Shropshire when Hampshire signed him as cover for Liam Dawson.

He responded with 35 not out at No. 9 as Hampshire made 338 in their first innings.

After Hampshire lost three wickets for 22 runs this morning, having started day two on 281-6, Wainwright and Brad Wheal (2) added 35 for the final wicket.

Hampshire will be very pleased with that after being 92-4 at one stage.

Sean Ervine hit a vital 103 at No 3 on day one, in his first game after a month out with injury, and shared 112 in 46 overs for the fifth wicket with Ryan McLaren.

They were excellent against the threat from slow left arm duo Jack Leach (6-108) and Roelof van der Merwe (3-99).

Ervine said: “Somerset bowled well up front and we struggled at that stage, it was just a case of trying to survive.

“It was a crucial partnership with Ryan McLaren. Being left-handers, probably helped, the ball spun into us.

“It was a great challenge against a turning ball and I enjoyed it.

“We just had to bide our time and hit the bad balls and try to rotate the strike which is what we did.

“We used our feet well and as the new ball wore off it felt like it didn’t bite as much as it did earlier on when the guys were batting up front.

“I think we have a good total.”

Despite the loss of Lewis McManus (43), Gareth Berg (22) and Mason Crane (2), Hampshire added 57 in 24 overs this morning - including 35 for the last wicket.

“The wicket’s only going to get worse,” added Ervine. “Their spinners are finger spinners but we’re lucky to have a wrist spinner in Mason Crane who can turn it on almost anything.”

Ervine’s fellow left-hander Alsop was dropped despite hitting a career-best 93 in the win at Nottinghamshire in his previous innings.

Hampshire Ervine admitted: “It was a selection dilemma, but we knew it would spin and I generally play spin quite well.

“It was hard luck on Tom, who’s played well, but it paid off.”