Hampshire collapse against Worcestershire

Promotion-chasing Hampshire are on the brink of a setback after collapsing to 186 for 6 in pursuit of a target of 307 for victory at New Road.

On a busy and intriguing third day, Worcestershire gradually developed a winning position, first with 200 runs from their last five wickets and then with an incisive attack by their trio of pace bowlers.

Alamgir Sheriyar struck in his first over when Giles White was lbw, and though Andy Bichel came in for some punishment, the Australian produced two wicket-taking deliveries.

Will Kendall became another leg-before victim on a pitch of occasional low bounce and Graeme Hick held a stunning left-handed slip catch to dismiss Jason Laney.

First-change seamer Chris Liptrot bowled seven consecutive maidens before with his 45th ball he added Neil Johnson to the list of those rapped on the pads. Left-arm spinner Rawnsley made a major breakthrough by dismissing Derek Kenway for 40 and the lower order folded until Alex Morris smashed an unbeaten 44. Bad light then halted the extra half-an-hour after five overs.

Worcestershire had raised the highest score of the match despite struggling at 106 for 5 when Dimitri Mascarenhas bowled David Leatherdale and had Paul Pollard caught at backward point.

They appeared to have lost their best chance when Hick went for 76, caught at short leg off Shaun Udal after a relatively minor role in a stand of 71 with Bichel.

The Australian went on to make a Championship-best 78 with 14 boundaries until he was caught at slip off James Schofield, who then bowled Liptrot to set a career-best return of 4 for 51.

Worcestershire were again on the back foot at 231 for 7, but Steve Rhodes reached his first Championship 50 of the season while putting on 73 with Matt Rawnsley, who was last out for a career-best 39.