Gary Ballance posted his first hundred of the season and his third in three innings at the Ageas Bowl this afternoon.

The former Yorkshire captain has led his side’s recovery from 21-3 on day one of their Specsavers County Championship match against Hampshire, with the visitors reaching tea at 228-4 from 64 overs.

Ballance shared 143 for the fourth wicket either side of lunch with Harry Brook, who was the only man to fall in a dominant afternoon session.

Brook had reached 79 by the time he was trapped lbw by the excellent Dale Steyn, leaving the score at 164-4 in the 49th over.

Otherwise, Hampshire’s bowlers have struggled after the White Rose won the toss and elected to bat.

Last season, Ballance scored a century and a double century in an April draw here. Today, Brook reached his fifty off 74 balls before Ballance followed him there off 99.

Ballance then reached his hundred in the final over of the session off 171 balls and will resume on 103. Jack Leaning is 19 not out.