'We are still in the box seat' says Shine at the Rosebowl

Somerset look to be well set to record their third championship victory of the season when they ended the third day at the Hampshire Rosebowl in a strong position.

At the close of play, following on the hosts were 239 for 6 wickets a lead of 60 runs, with 4 second innings wickets remaining.

Resuming on 123 for 7, the Somerset pacemen quickly removed the remaining Hampshire batsmen for the addition of just 6 runs as the hosts were all out for 129.

Simon Francis captured two of the remaining wickets to end with the impressive figures of 17.5 overs, 11 maidens, 3 for 32 against his former county, whilst Nixon McLean accounted for Shaun Udal to give him final figures of 15 overs, 7 maidens, 4 wickets for 31runs.

Following on 179 runs behind Hampshire started off little better second time around, losing Crawley with the score on ten and Simon Katich just eight runs later.

Robin Smith and Derek Kenway then added 89 runs for the third wicket before the veteran batsman Smith was bowled by Gareth Andrew, the Somerset debutant for 55.

Will Kendall and Kenway then put on 64 runs for the fourth wicket until Kendall was caught by Dutch off the bowling of McLean for 33, to make Hampshire 171 for 4.

Nic Pothas was trapped LBW by Mike Burns after scoring 13, and two runs after seeing Hampshire bring up the two hundred the Somerset skipper struck again to remove Dimitri Mascarenhas for 10.

Kenway however proved to be determined to see the day out which he did, and along with Udal added 37 runs to end the day unbeaten on 94 having batted for eight minutes short of six hours. By the close Burns had taken 3 for 63 from his 23 overs.

After the close Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: " It's been another good effort in the field for us today. This morning we took their remaining wickets quickly, but they have battled hard in their second innings, but the boys have stuck to their guns and we are still in the box seat."

He continued: "Simon Francis has bowled a good line and length, whilst Mike Burns has shouldered the burden of being the fourth seamer and bowled really, really well. Tomorrow we will be looking to capture their remaining wickets and then go for the win."

Meanwhile back at the County Ground in Taunton, Hampshire got the better of their Somerset counterparts but only after an exciting days cricket. Resuming on 27 without loss, the visitors took their score to 238 for 7 before declaring leaving Somerset requiring 280 for victory off 49 overs.

Despite substantial contributions from Keith Parsons and Piran Holloway, and 34 from Wes Durston to add to his three second innings wickets, the hosts were all out for 236, leaving Hampshire the victors by 44 runs.