Hampshire take the honours in another rain spoiled day

Following yesterdays thunderstorms, and heavy overnight rain, it was not possible to make a start until 3:30pm on this third day of the PPP healthcare County Championship match at Riverside.

With both teams anxious to gain a needed victory, 52 overs were taken from the day. Some frustrated members vented their anger on umpires Steele and Benson, and on some of the visiting players and officials. But those that stayed saw some interesting cricket as the sun shone into the evening.

Martin Speight and Jimmy Daley pushed their fifth wicket partnership to 124 before Speight pulled Morris straight into the hands of Laney, and two runs later Warne had Daley trapped leg before.

Andrew Pratt hit a belligerent 27* to guide his team past 300, but with Wood, Killeen and Harmison all going cheaply, Hampshire retained their record of maximum bowling points in each of their Championship matches this season. Morris took 3 wickets to return his best figures for some time.

Jason Laney and Giles White made batting look easy on the bland wicket, against some wayward Durham bowling, and at close had reached 62-0 off 20 overs.

The match, after so many stoppages, is in a difficult stage. Neither captain will want to give much away, as both teams are perilously situated at the bottom of Division One. However from an entertainment view, the spectators will hope that some collusion will be possible on the last day.