91Èȱ¬

Nottinghamshire's Riki Wessels hit a fine century to dent Hampshire's Division One survival chances.

Wessels made 104 and Steven Mullaney 58, while paceman Fidel Edwards took 6-88 as Notts were all out for 340.

Billy Root, younger brother of England batsman Joe, struck 37 on debut.

Hampshire, who were 0-1 at stumps after losing nightwatchman Ryan Stevenson first ball, must win at Trent Bridge and hope Sussex and Somerset both lose to stand any chance of staying up.

The visitors began 16 points behind Sussex, who had the better of Yorkshire on the opening day of their match at Headingley.

Somerset, who need just seven points to remain in the division, were 360-5 at the close against Warwickshire, already earning four batting bonus points.

West Indies fast bowler Edwards got Hampshire off to the ideal start, as he took three quick wickets to leave Notts 39-3.

Mullaney and Wessels rebuilt for the hosts with a stand of 115 before all-rounder Mullaney was bowled by spinner Liam Dawson.

Root, 23, looked composed as he spent more than an hour at the crease with Wessels, but his 57-ball knock came to an end when he edged Gareth Berg to Sean Ervine in the slips.

Wessels, who passed 1,000 Championship runs for the summer during his innings, brought up his hundred just before tea, but was out shortly after the interval to medium-pacer Ervine.

The returning Stuart Broad (37) and Brett Hutton (46) took Notts past 300 before Edwards and Berg cleaned up the tail.

With Hampshire having to negotiate just one over before the close, Broad had Stevenson caught behind.

And with Sussex and Somerset both enjoying the better of their opening days, Hampshire's fate may already be out of their hands.