An unbeaten 103 from Michael Lumb put relegation-threatened Hampshire in a strong position on the opening day of their LV County Championship Division One clash against Nottinghamshire.

The 29-year-old left-hander hit 17 fours from 174 balls as the visitors piled on the runs to reach 345 for three at the close after winning the toss.

England Lions batsman Michael Carberry had also looked in good form, hitting 17 fours on his way to 86, but then retired hurt with a broken finger, while Jimmy Adams made 55.

All-rounder Andre Adams looked the most threatening of the Notts bowlers, but the hosts will have to improve considerably if they are to win the match and close the gap on leaders Durham.

Notts director of cricket Mick Newell had expressed the need for his side to win the fixture, having drawn four and lost one of their last five in Division One, and the wicket at Trent Bridge looked like a green seamer to try and assist the Notts bowlers.

But Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas had no hesitation in choosing to bat and it turned out to be a wise choice, as openers Carberry and Jimmy Adams helped themselves to some loose deliveries.

With Ryan Sidebottom at the Brit Oval preparing for England's Ashes Test, the out-of-form Darren Pattinson and Charlie Shreck were asked to lead the Notts attack and both served up a succession of balls to drive or cut for four.

Hampshire were assisted by a short boundary on the Bridgford Road side of the ground but Carberry in particular looked irresistible, and seemed on course for his fifth hundred of the summer before he was hit on the left hand by a rising ball from Andre Adams after lunch, which forced him from the field.

The Kiwi seamer Adams had already removed his namesake six overs earlier, with Jimmy Adams playing on attempting to cut.

Youngster James Vince put on 80 for the second wicket with Lumb but then clipped Samit Patel to midwicket for 27 on the stroke of tea.

The runs continued to flow in the final session before Andre Adams made up for dropping Liam Dawson in the slips off Shreck by trapping the 19-year-old lbw in the very next over for 43.

But Lumb reached three figures soon after with a square drive for four - his first Championship hundred in exactly a year - and will resume on day two with nightwatchman Tom Burrows, who was seven not out at the close.