Hampshire Hold Out Hope Going Into Final Day

James Vince (39*) and Will Smith (13*) kept Hampshire in contention on a heavily rain-affected day three of their Specsavers County Championship match with Lancashire, at Emirates Old Trafford.

Hampshire ended on 76-2, trailing by 271 runs, after resilient batting from Vince and Smith before lunch proved to be the last action of the day, putting Lancashire celebrations on hold.

James Anderson had dealt the visitors an early setback, dismissing Michael Carberry (16) in the second over of play.

Carberry had successfully kept the Lancashire offense at bay at the end of day two, but he edged Anderson’s (10-2) fifth delivery of the day behind to wicket keeper Alex Davies, in an almost identical manner to his first innings dismissal by Neil Wagner.

Vince then showed impressive batting versatility by scoring 39 off 147 balls during a stubborn morning’s display alongside Will Smith (20), whose defensive batting qualities could be a real asset going into the final day.

Hampshire trailed by 271 runs at lunch, on 76-2, making Anderson wait for his sixth wicket of the match, before rain intervened.

The scores remained unchanged as the players did not return to the field, giving Hampshire hope of securing an heroic draw on day four. 

Words: Sam Fletcher