By Mike Beddow at Worcester
First day of four: Worcs 80-4 v Hampshire
HAMPSHIRE, full of vim and anticipation after three successive wins, made better progress than they may have expected when rain squalls bounced down from the Malverns for most of the day.
After six inspections and much sheet-tugging and cover-shoving by the groundstaff, Nixon McLean took three wickets in six of the 24 overs which were squeezed into a 95-minute session of play.
It was definitely false promise when Philip Weston helped McLean's second delivery over fine leg for six. Abdul Hafeez played on in the third over, making it 12 innings since Worcestershire enjoyed a half-century start in the championship. Weston counter-attacked with three cover drives off Alex Morris but Graeme Hick, powerless to dig out one which kept low, departed for six.
McLean continued to be a threat even on a slow surface, knocking out Weston's off stump for a return of three for 39, which included edged fours by Hafeez and David Leatherdale. Vikram Solanki miscued a pull straight back to John Stephenson, but Leatherdale and Richard Illingworth survived until the close.
Day 2: Hampshire lose way
By Mike Beddow at Worcester
Second day of four: Hants (77-2) trail Worcs (212) by 135 runs
THIS contest has matched the weather, with infrequent bright periods, too many damp patches and ultimately a grey cloud as Hampshire lost momentum in pursuit of a modest Worcestershire total.
An opening partnership of 65 by John Stephenson, who had earlier taken four for 29, and Giles White could have been tailored to the climate. They blazed away to reach 50 in 10 overs but added only 15 in the next nine.
The change of mood was largely influenced by Gavin Haynes, with accurate inslant mixed up with the one which straightens. White and Will Kendal were leg before in three balls; some other decisions must have been close if assessed on the decibel-rating of his appeals.
Worcestershire had lost their last six wickets for 132 yesterday, falling for fewer than 250 for the 11th time in 29 innings this season, and the value of their 212 lessened rapidly under fire from Stephenson and White.
But Hampshire eventually encountered the problems Worcestershire had experienced with a sluggish pitch and basic swing and seam bowling. Predictable resistance came from Richard Illingworth and Steve Rhodes, less expected was a boisterous last-wicket stand of 25 by Alamgir Sheriyar and Bobby Chapman.
Rhodes, trenchant as ever in a difficult situation, became top-scorer with five boundaries and it was as well for Worcestershire that their lower order again had the guile to outscore the top five batsmen. Success will continue to be elusive until this imbalance is resolved.
Day 3: Haynes hits Hampshire
By Mike Beddow at Worcester
Third day of four: Worcestershire (212-2 & 144-4) lead Hampshire (178) by 178 runs
WORCESTERSHIRE scored all the major points in a strong and determined recovery. Gavin Haynes took a career-best six for 50, David Leatherdale completed 1,000 runs in a season for the first time, and Philip Weston withstood a counter-offensive by Nixon McLean.
A slow, seaming surface, with low bounce evident in some of the nine lbw decisions in the match might have been made for Haynes.
The good work could have been undermined by another example of doubt and frailty in Worcestershire's batting. McLean claimed three more wickets, now 62 for the season, but Weston resolutely compiled the first fifty of the game. Steve Rhodes assisted in an unbroken stand worth 79 when bad light ended play.