James Vince scored his first red-ball century in over a year as he piled on an unbeaten 143 for Hampshire on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship clash with Yorkshire.

Hampshire boasted the better of the first day despite being put in by Gary Ballance without a toss – with the total on 281 for four at stumps.

Not even the inclusion of England duo Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow could steal the limelight from the supreme Vince, whose first and last first-class centuries were also against Yorkshire, at Scarborough in 2010 and at Headingley last May.

The 19th first-class ton of his career came in the over after tea.

In front of the current England captain Joe Root Vince was in full flow – driving beautifully and playing everything else with a deft touch.

In a way the innings was a redemption for the right hander after his frustrating summer in 2016 with the national side – where he managed 212 runs in 11 innings before he was ditched.

So when he brought up his three figures with a back foot punch through the covers after 180-deliveries it was apt it had come off Root’s bowling.

A skip and a jump as Vince ran between the wickets to celebrate his milestone unleashed him – and allowed him to become more expansive as the evening wore on.

Every wicket that fell, Vince was the man to make sure the continuity was there – which allowed big stands with all his partners.

He had been brought to the crease when Michael Carberry had chased Ben Coad, the precocious fast bowler, wide of the off stump to be caught behind in the sixth over.

Opener Jimmy Adams was more assured than his opening partner and played the anchor role for Vince.

The pair put on 66 for the second wicket before Adams became the 20th batsman to fall victim to Coad this summer as he was plumb lbw to the first ball after lunch.

Vince was put down by Adam Lyth at third slip on 39 before reaching 109-ball.

After a partnership of 82 with Vince Tom Alsop (40) became Steven Patterson’s 300th Championship wicket.

Sean Ervine (48) added 110 with Vince before he was caught by a diving Bairstow.

Bad light curtailed the day, with 11 overs lost.