Hampshire v Northants: Hosts face battle to claim vital victory

County Championship Division Two, Southampton

Close, day three: Northants 356 & 176-5, Hampshire 276

Northants 7pts, Hampshire 5pts

Match scorecard

Promotion-chasing Hampshire face a battle to claim a County Championship Division Two victory against Northants.

Hampshire will begin the final day 256 runs behind their opponents, who have five second-innings wickets remaining.

At the start of day three, Hampshire were on 125-2 and they were bowled out for 276 with Jimmy Adams top scoring on 73, while Luke Evans took four wickets.

Northants reached 176-5 at close of play with Rob Newton dismissed late on for 59, although Alex Wakely is on 61.