Hampshire: Anything is possible on final day

However, the all-rounder insists the home side will not throw caution to the wind tomorrow morning in pursuit of victory.

Hampshire will resume on 76 for one in their second innings – a lead of 51 with three sessions of the game remaining.

Middlesex frustrated the home side on day three, edging into a 25-run lead as they posted 361 all out in their first innings.

Dawid Malan (121), John Simpson (65) and James Harris (57) helped them bounce back from their overnight total of 84 for three.

McLaren, who finished with four for 74, said: ‘I thought they batted well in the first session.

‘They made it tough for us – ideally we would have taken a few wickets.

‘I thought the pitch might have deteriorated but it didn’t.

‘If we bat well in the morning we will take it from there.

‘You want to bat quick enough to set up a game but the position we are in at the moment doesn’t allow us to do that.’

James Vince will resume on 28 not out and Jimmy Adams on 16 not out.

McLaren, meanwhile, is delighted to be finding some form with the ball.

He added: ‘You will always be happy with four wickets. I am improving day by day.

‘I had a bad spell in Yorkshire on the first day but now I am hitting the crease better now.

‘I did work in the week and my rhythm is better now.’

Hampshire have drawn their opening two fixtures.