Hollioake makes his return a winning one

Hampshire 178-8 Surrey 180-7 Surrey win by three wickets

The first day of the rest of Adam Hollioake's cricket life began well with victory over second-placed Hampshire in the Norwich Union League, and a modicum of success for the Surrey captain.

Hollioake had experienced two highly emotional episodes in the last few months, firstly the death of his brother and fellow Surrey player Ben, then the birth of his first child a couple of weeks ago. Hollioake and his wife Sherryn named their daughter Benaya, after his brother and Ben's girlfriend Jenaya.

Yesterday he was treated to some tense moments before Ian Salisbury struck the first ball of the last over for six over midwicket to wrap up the win. It completed a satisfying day that had begun with Hollioake winning the toss and emerging to field with a smile on his face. He picked up wickets and when he batted he hit a couple of delightful cover drives with the old timing and strength.

Disciplined bowling by Hampshire had threatened to frustrate Surrey efforts, although opener Ian Ward had laid down a sound platform with a controlled half-century. In the end the 25-run eighth-wicket stand between Salisbury and Martin Bicknell won the day.

Hollioake claimed the first of his wickets with the third ball of his first over of the summer, John Crawley prodding at it and presenting Jon Batty with a low catch behind, and the return just got better, with Hollioake claiming a second 10 balls later.

In between he could have another, but John Crawley's awkward skier to deep mid-on was missed. But towards the end of his initial spell Hollioake came in for a modicum of stick, as did the rest of the Surrey attack.

Nic Pothas was going well until he drove straight back to the bowler to give Hollioake his third wicket, but Dimitri Mascarenhas smashed 15 runs off Ed Giddins' final over and a further seven runs off Hollioake's ninth left Surrey with a far more challenging total to chase than might have been expected.