Critchley started the day three runs shy of his thirteenth first-class century and after 20 minutes, reached the milestone with a booming lower – a shot celebrated on and off the sphere.
It continued a miraculous run of start-of-season performances for Critchley since signing from Derbyshire.
On debut towards Kent, he made a right away impression with 132, and after three half-centuries within the subsequent 4 innings, he started final season with 145 not out towards Surrey.
His earlier better of 151, towards Kent in 2025, additionally got here within the early a part of the season.
At Utilita Bowl, Critchley had come to the crease after Tom Westley had been struck on the hand by Sonny Baker – which ultimately led to Westley being the primary participant changed within the ECB’s participant substitute trial.
It was a difficult entrance with the ball shifting round and Essex in slight hassle at what rapidly grew to become 67-3.
However he saved the scoreboard ticking with smart risk-free batting, made positive the ball bought smooth after which cashed in.
Aptitude was by no means on his thoughts, however that did not cease him from accumulating at an excellent tempo, reaching 150 in 229 balls, earlier than reaching a brand new private finest with an higher lower for six.
Allison had been a mainstay alongside him, following up completely on a breakthrough 2025 – the place he scored three tons.
One other deserved three-figures appeared on the playing cards, however he fell into a brief ball entice as Hampshire tried to whittle down the overs to the brand new ball – whacking Eddie Jack straight to deep sq..
Michael Pepper fell for a breezy 32, lbw to offer Codi Yusuf who was taking his maiden Hampshire wicket, earlier than Westley’s substitute Noah Thain was caught behind off Baker.
