In Chelmsford, Tilak Varma, India’s teenage batting star, made his County Championship debut by smashing a century for Hampshire against Essex. Despite stumps being called on the second day, Tilak, who had batted at number four, distinguished himself with perfect technique and returned undefeated on 98. Tilak smashed the ball into the gap and scampered for a double in the first few minutes of day three, raising his bat to celebrate a well-earned hundred. South African off-spinner Simon Harmer, however, ended Tilak’s happiness when he hit the 22-year-old’s return ticket on 100 from 241 deliveries that included three majestic maximums and 11 fours. In addition to his exciting century, Tilak and Liam Dawson, an experienced all-rounder for England, shared a 133-run stand for the fifth wicket, with Dawson enjoying his 18th first-class century.
Tilak Varma makes county debut scores a century for Hampshire
