The ECB pitch inspectors were in evidence at the Rose Bowl at the close of a second day's play which had seen 22 wickets fall and edged Hampshire towards an early defeat, still requiring 184 to win but with only six wickets in hand.

ECB Cricket chief Alan Fordham and pitch guru Tony Brown were both looking attentively at the surface shortly after Shaun Udal was up-ended and bowled by a shooter from paceman James Anderson with the final ball of the day. But the wicket could not be totally blamed for the day's carnage, but it will depend on their take on events whether any penalty may be incurred.

Only two runs had been added to the overnight tally when Shaun Udal became wicket one to open the wicket-taking barricades, led by the 19-year-old Anderson playing just his sixth first-class game.

Helped by his captain and wicket-keeper Warren Hegg, who took five catches, Anderson collected a career-best 6-23 and he undermined the Hampshire innings to great effect. Only Will Kendall standing tall and recording a score of over 20 – his 54 a study of concentration and resilience that was barely seen by his teammates.

Still conceding a lead of 51, Hampshire made an excellent start in whipping out Alec Swann and David Byas with only two on the board. A partnership between Mark Chilton and Stuart Law eased the fears before they both went to leave the visitors 61-4.

However, veteran Neil Fairbrother, with a Championship average of just 16, recorded his best score of the season (39) and with Glen Chapple (31) quickly posted 70 for the fifth wicket.

On his dismissal to the outstanding Shaun Udal, Lancashire collapsed with only Warren Hegg (23) and Gary Keedy (16) hanging around – but it was enough to take the lead past 200 and beyond, finally being bowled out for 239.

It could have been more but for Udal, who bowled unbroken from the Northern End, and closed with his third five-wicket haul of the season (5-59 from 23 overs).

What was required in Hampshire's chase was not to lose too many wickets in the 12 overs remaining and have a solid building block from which to stage a charge towards 239 in the morning.

What they did not require was to lose four wickets, including both openers and skipper Robin Smith in reaching 54-4 when Udal had his off-stump removed by the pacy Anderson, who also tempted Smith into an edge to Fairbrother at slip.

Kendall and White both went to John Wood to leave Hampshire tottering and looking at their second defeat of the Championship campaign.

But, whatever happens tomorrow may be undermined by the men in ties who were in consultations with groundsman Nigel Gray at 7.15pm tonight.

© Hampshire Cricket