Ian Bell and Michael Powell engineered a Warwickshire recovery at the Rose Bowl with an unbroken stand of 151 for the fourth wicket after Hampshire captain Robin Smith had chosen to field first in conditions which helped his array of seam and pace bowlers.

Rain knocked 40 overs from the day's allocation and Alan Mullally soon made his presence felt with two early wickets. England hopeful Mullally removed Nick Knight and Mark Wagh in his first five overs and then Chris Tremlett sent back David Hemp with the fifth ball of his first over.

Knight edged into the slips where Neil Johnson failed to hold the catch above his head but Alex Morris held the rebound. Wagh was caught at the wicket, also for four, and Hemp offered no shot to be lbw.

But from 41 for three Warwickshire, unsteadily at first, began a recovery with the precocious Bell, aged 19, soon outscoring his captain. After a run of poor scores, Powell reached his half-century in three hours and Bell was not far behind, straight driving Johnson to reach his 50 and bringing up the century partnership at the same time.

As cloud gave way to sunshine Hampshire ran out of ideas and at the close Warwickshire's revival was near completion at 192 for three from 64 overs.

Bell's 88 not out came off 160 balls and included 13 fours while the more circumspect Powell was 67 not out in a stolid innings which included only six boundaries but was just as valuable to his team's cause.

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