Tremlett keeps Notts at bay

Chris Tremlett hits out on his way to a half-century against Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire's charge towards their third LV County Championship win of the season was held up by the batting skills of England pace bowler Chris Tremlett.

Tremlett, coming in at number nine with Hampshire in deep trouble in their second innings, hit the fourth half-century of his career and featured in a last-wicket stand of 50 with Nantie Hayward in this Division One match.

Tremlett went on to make 52 from 57 balls in an innings which included a massive straight six off Samit Patel.

Tremlett was eventually last out, offering a simple catch to Will Jefferson to help complete a minor Hampshire recovery.

But Nottinghamshire were still firm favourites even after Tremlett's cameo innings, having been left the modest target of 188 to win in a full day and the last 12 overs of the third day.

By the close Nottinghamshire had lost Matt Wood but needed only another 134 to win at 54 for one in their second innings.

Nottinghamshire began the third day 44 ahead on 337 for seven and they lasted only another 10 overs before being all out 61 ahead at 354.

James Tomlinson took two of the last three wickets and Tremlett got the other to finish with innings figures of three for 71.

Hampshire made a poor start to the second innings, losing Michael Carberry, John Crawley and Michael Lumb before shaking off the arrears.

Once again Nottinghamshire's bowling hero was New Zealander Andre Adams, who took four for 45 as Hampshire's middle-order struggled to stay in control.

Michael Brown latches on to a short delivery in his innings of 54, taking his season's tally beyond 500

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Adams also made 34 batting at eight for Nottinghamshire and his aggressive, accurate bowling was rewarded with match figures of 8-108.

Charlie Shreck took 3-52 and the only top-order resistance from Hampshire came from Michael Brown.

Opening batsman Brown passed 500 runs for the season with his fifth score of 50 or more but it looked ominous for Hampshire when he guided Paul Franks to the stooping Jefferson after making 54.

As wickets tumbled, Hampshire were a precarious 198 for nine, a minimal lead of 137 on a slow and low pitch, when Tomlinson was caught at the wicket to give Adams his fourth victim of the innings.

It was then that Tremlett and Hayward came together, putting on 50 in only nine orders to frustrate the visitors.

Tremlett also hit seven fours, three of them in succession against Patel, before Hampshire's luck ran out.

Nottinghamshire wasted no time in beginning the pursuit of their total although Wood, dropped in the slips at seven, was out for the same score to a catch at the wicket off Hayward at 17.

Jefferson and Mark Wagh were not inhibited by the setback, thrashing 37 in seven overs to leave Nottinghamshire in a powerful position entering the final day.