Hampshire well placed to leapfrog over Notts

Ryan McLaren finished on 71 not out Picture: Neil Marshall

Nottinghamshire will have to bat well on the final day of their County Championship match at Trent Bridge.

Left to score a nominal 468 to win, from a minimum of 118 overs, Notts reached stumps on 42 for two on the third day.

Earlier, Hampshire had batted until after tea, before declaring on 393 for seven.

Jimmy Adams scored 99 and Tom Alsop hit 93, while there were half centuries also for Ryan McLaren (71) and Liam Dawson (69).

Former Ageas Bowl ace Imran Tahir, with three for 111, returned the best figures for the hosts.

Adams and Alsop had few alarms in extending their second-wicket partnership to 160, before being separated just before lunch.

Left-handeder Adams, moved on to 99 but then cruelly feathered an attempted pull off Jake Ball through to Chris Read.

Alsop had brought up his 50 from 122 balls during his stand with Adams and advanced to his career-best score before falling in the first hour of the middle session.

Tahir picked up two wickets in quick succession.

Alsop went lbw and then Adam Wheater (2) drilled a caught and bowled straight back to the South African international.

With Dawson and Ryan McLaren then adding 80 for the fifth wicket, Notts were delighted to make a further strike in the final over of the afternoon session.

Dawson had brought up his second fifty of the match from 85 balls but was bowled by Samit Patel for 69.

The spinner made it two wickets in two balls as Lewis McManus edged his first ball into the hands of Steven Mullaney at slip.

Gareth Berg survived the hat-trick delivery and moved on to 17 before nicking Tahir behind.

McLaren launched three enormous sixes over the midwicket ropes and was unbeaten on 71 when the declaration came.

Andy Carter, who took four wickets in Nottinghamshire’s first innings, struck with his first delivery of the second, having Jake Libby taken at square leg for nine.

Hampshire struck a further blow in the final over of the day as Will Smith held a juggling slip catch off Mason Crane to send back Riki Wessels for 11.

– DAVE BRACEGIRDLE