Application and a thorough resolve were the keys to Hampshire's day of attrition, as, chasing 482 to avoid a follow on, the visitors battled it out to cut the tally by 207 in a shortened third day at Hove.

Facing the daunting task of following Sussex's huge first innings was always going to be a tough ask, but the Hampshire batsmen dug in once play started at 12.15pm when 28 overs were lopped off the days allocation following heavy overnight rain.

It was the Sussex bowlers turn to toil, as Jason Laney and debutant Jimmy Adams holding the home side up with a superb second wicket stand of 139, which was finally broken moments before tea when the former pushed forward to James Kirtley and was trapped leg before for an gritty 89.

But it was not about the runs scored, it was more of the manner they were achieved and Laney patient innings befitted the circumstances. His innings included 12 fours and a six into the short pavilion-side boundary.

Kirtley struck twice in quick succession when Adams edged to slip for a calculated 48. Will Kendall followed shortly after for just four, having his middle stump uprooted to stunt Hampshire's progress from 208-1 to a worrying 213-4.

But the veteran and the young protégé steady the nerves as Robin Smith and John Francis battled against everything the Sussex bowlers could throw at them.

Smith told me later that he could not ever remember scoring so few runs in a whole session! It took him 78 balls before scoring his first and only boundary thus far - he was not out on 19 from 91 balls at the close. Slow, yes, but decidedly necessary.

Francis, who was being given regular boosts from the master at the other end, scored at a quicker pace, especially taking a liking the sweep off the spinner Davis.

Close of play day 3 and Hampshire are still 355 runs behind. Day four is likely to see much of the same attritional value seen today. It may not be pretty, nor save them from relegation, but it will prove that the side does have a backbone.

© Hampshire Cricket