London, April 6 -- All-rounder Matt Critchley led Essex to a three-day innings victory overto give new Hampshire head coach Russell Domingo a bad start in the County Championship.
Stand-in captain Sam Cook had picked up three first-innings scalps as Hampshire were rolled for 156. And after being asked to follow-on, the hosts could only manage 168 to lose by an innings and 137 runs, with Critchley picking up 5-9 after scoring a century earlier in the match.
Essex, who only won three times in a disappointing 2025, become the first team to win in 2026 as they claimed 22 points, with Hampshire securing just two. No one had fewer batting points than Hampshire in the 2025 County Championship, which almost led to them getting relegated.
Adi Bir...