Day 3: Hampshire 398-9 (McManus 117*), Surrey 637-7 declared

LEWIS McManus’s maiden senior century boosted Hampshire’s hopes of avoiding defeat in their relegation clash against Surrey at The Ageas Bowl.

McManus surpassed the unbeaten 53 made during his gutsy rearguard against Durham last July - the catalyst for Hampshire's Great Escape - by batting more than four hours for his unbeaten 117 (232 balls (16 fours, two sixes) 

If it ensures Hampshire draw this Specsavers County Championship relegation scrap, it will be another vital knock in the context of the county's season.

Just seven games into his senior career, and in his second since replacing Adam Wheater  behind the stumps, McManus has gone a long way to establishing himself as Hampshire's first choice wicketkeeper-batsman. 

But Wheater also impressed after Hampshire, having resumed on 73-2, lost Ryan McLaren and Tom Alsop in Dom Sibley's first two overs of the day, the former to its first ball.

Wheater was typically ruthless against anything short, while putting on 102 in 25 overs with Sean Ervine before mistiming a Mark Footitt half-volley straight to  cover, for an 80-ball 59 (11 fours, one six), just before lunch.

Enter McManus.

Gareth Batty ran out Sean Ervine with a direct hit from the covers, before bowling Gareth Berg for 40 (47 balls).

McManus kept his head, adding 71 with Gareth Andrew and an unbroken 71 with the stoic Brad Wheal, who faced 67 balls for his nine. 

The 21 year-old reached his fifty from 93 balls, with eight fours, before clipping his ninth, through mid-wicket against Footitt in the last over before tea.

Andrew (19) was caught at second slip in the second over after of the final session and Mason Crane was bowled neck and crop by off-spinner Batty 14 balls later.

But McManus, capitalising on a docile wicket, motored on towards his maiden century.

Having responded to Andrew’s exit with a six over long-on against Batty, he launched Sibley over mid-wicket for his second maximum and then swept the next ball for four to go into the nineties. 

The 21 year-old showed excellent judgement  and composure throughout and celebrated a wonderful ton (171 balls) after working Stuart Meaker for a single off his hips, midway through the third day’s final session.

By the close he had guiding Hampshire to 398-9, within 90 of avoiding the follow-on, with Wheal playing a vital support role. 

Once again, one of Hampshire's rookies has shown the way in a crisis. The cool heads of Wheal, Crane and McManus bode well.