Hampshire facing defeat after following on at Durham

Hampshire's woefull Frizzell Championship season continued at The Riverside ground of Durham on the third day, being forced to follow on 304 runs behind the home side. They then lost a further five wickets before the close.

Resuming at 88 for 4 overnight, John Francis and Nic Pothas belied what had gone on the previous evening by surviving untill just before the lunch interval, when Pothas, back after injury continued his good form, reached a half century before being caught in bizaare fashion off his own foot to Nicky Peng at forward short-leg.

Having batted soundly for 285 minutes, Francis pulled the ball to square leg and was superbly caught by Peng diving to his right for 65, it was his highest first-class score of the season.

Hampshire's last three wickets fell without any addition to the score and the follow on was enforced.

Hampshire's second attempt fell immediatly into disarray with Simon Katich and John Crawley both back in the pavilion for a joint return of 6 runs. James Adams and Robin Smith then batted stoically but the perservering Neil Killeen accounted for Adams caught behind, then Smith one short of a half century fell lbw.

Nic Pothas continued to show why he has been missed during his injury spell by battling out to close, but the fourth day would need a miracle that only the nearby "Angel of the North" could perform.