Hampshire have work cut out to avoid defeat

Play did not start until 3.15 at The Rose Bowl where Hampshire, resuming from their overnight 245-8, still needed 34 more runs to avoid being asked to follow on.

James Hamblin and Chris Tremlett extended their ninth wicket partnership to 52 before Hamblin was adjudged lbw to DeFreitas, two short of a maiden half-century. Chris Tremlett and Alan Mullally crept towards the requested figure before, in what could only be described as a mental aberration, Tremlett drove the ball to Carl Crowe at mid-wicket only to see Mullally attempting a run. Sent back, the former Leicestershire fast bowler was yards out, and Hampshire were all out just six runs short of the follow-on target.

Derek Kenway fell early in Hampshire's second innings, as he edged Dagnall to the wicket-keeper, but Kendall and Crawley held the innings together for 60 runs before Crawley edged spinner Carl Crowe to Neil Burns, possibly a vital wicket for the visitors. Kendall and night-watchman James Hamblin safely negotiated the final overs.

With a 74-run deficit, Hampshire will be looking to bat throughout the day to save the game, but with heavy showers forecast, they may be helped along the way. Defeat would give Leicestershire the honour of being the first visiting side to record a victory at the Rose Bowl in the Championship.