Mascarenhas lead rearguard as Hampshire stave off defeat

A rearguard from Dimitri Mascarenhas and the lower order kept table-toppers Surrey from securing victory as Hampshire battled against an innings defeat on the third day of the Frizzell County Championship match at The Oval.

Mascarenhas' 94-ball undefeated 75 stood between the hosts and a third-day success as he and firstly Nic Pothas (24), Shaun Udal (18) and James Hamblin, with whom he shared a stout 56 for the ninth wicket ensured the game went into the final day.

But Hampshire still trail by 83 runs after Surrey furthered their overnight 410 for 5 in double quick time - smoting 166 runs in just 27.3 overs with Alistair Brown continuing in his typical vain with 135.

Aided by 89 from Jonathan Batty and some resistance from the tail pushed the game further over the horizon. But not before Shaun Udal picked up an unwanted Hampshire record by becoming the second bowler in the club's history to concede 200 runs in an innings, following Alec Kennedy suffering 202 runs in 1919 at Lord's.

Udal's figures of 4-213 in 47 overs was the pick, although Lawrence Prittipaul bowled tidily for 2-43 in 13.3 overs.

Trailing by 386, it was a case of Hampshire batting for five session to save the match and a 51-run start through Jason Laney and Neil Johnson set them on their way.

But the introduction of Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was always going to be crucial and he made significant inroads as the batsmen were guilty of making starts to their innings but failing to push on.

All the top four batsmen reached 28 or more before succumbing to Saqlain - bar Jason Laney who fell to James Ormond's second delivery of off-spin as he reverted from his normal medium-fast.

In fact, in a strange piece of cricket, he bowled medium-fast at Will Kendall but off-spin to Robin Smith all in the space of an over on a regular occurrence when the pair were together at the wicket.

Saqlain reduced Hampshire from a comfortable 142-2 to 167-6 but as he tired, Mascarenhas and the lower order took charge and staved off defeat as bad light brought an early close to play, despite Surrey claiming the extra half-hour. The all-rounder smashed two huge sixes off consecutive Ian Salisbury deliveries and seven crunching fours in his saving 75 not out.

And, as the players left the ground, the rain began to fall. The forecast for Sunday 25th August is not of the highest quality, so Hampshire may still gain something other than a loss from this game.