Solanki stands alone for ailing Worcs

Vikram Solanki will almost certainly need to add 40 runs on day four to give Worcestershire a chance of victory

Vikram Solanki saved Worcestershire from the humiliation of a two-day defeat at the Rose Bowl, but his side are still staring at a heavy loss in their first game back in LV= County Championship Division One.

Solanki, coming in at the fall of the first wicket in Worcestershire's second innings, was unbeaten with 64 at the close after a brave counter-attacking innings, but his team are in a precarious position and face the prospect of a comprehensive defeat.

Solanki and eighth-wicket partner Chris Whelan came together with Worcestershire 53 for seven, still trailing by 31.

But they repaired the damage with a stand of 97 in 24 overs which was ended only in the last over of the day when Whelan fended a rising delivery from Chris Tremlett to wicketkeeper Nic Pothas.

Whelan had contributed 47 to the highest partnership of the match so far, on a wicket which has offered plenty of help to the bowlers with bounce and late movement.

Worcestershire will go into the third day 150 for eight, just 66 ahead of Hampshire and with only Solanki left among their recognised batsmen.

Hampshire began the day 76 for four, only 56 behind Worcestershire's first-innings total of 132 all out.

But they found batting to be no easier than their opponents, losing wickets steadily in the morning session.

Imran Arif took four of the wickets to fall, including that of opening batsman Jimmy Adams, who made 49 from 128 balls.

Kabir Ali brings Liam Dawson's feisty innings of 66 to an end with a sharp catch going over his shoulder

Hampshire went on to make 216, thanks to some audacious hitting by teenager Liam Dawson, who struck six fours and top-scored with 66 before lifting Matt Mason to long-on, where Kabir Ali judged the catch to perfection.

Hampshire's lead was 54 but some feeble batting by Worcestershire made them favourites to complete an innings victory until Solanki and Whelan put a stop to the rout.

Worcestershire lost openers Stephen Moore and Daryl Mitchell to Tremlett and Dominic Cork with the score at nine.

Ben Smith fell for 19 to a tumbling catch in the covers by Michael Carberry, and he was swiftly followed back to the pavilion by Moeen Ali, Steve Davies, Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali.

Solanki faced 145 balls and struck eight fours and a six over the covers off David Balcombe, but it may all be in vain unless forecast rain intrudes.