Hoggard hinders Hampshire

Matthew Hoggard impressed for Yorkshire with six wickets

Matthew Hoggard reminded the England selectors of his abilities with his best Yorkshire figures for five years to help his side take control of their LV County Championship clash with Hampshire.

Hoggard struck with the first ball of the third day, when he had Nic Pothas well held low at slip, and at that stage had taken every one of the opening half-dozen wickets to fall at Headingley Carnegie.

Hoggard, 31, has bagged better returns in an England shirt in recent years but his 6-56 was his most successful haul at county level since a 7-49 against Somerset, on the same ground in 2003.

Hampshire were bowled out for 159 in their first innings and finished the day on 136 for four after they were forced to follow on in reponse to Yorkshire’s first-innings total of 398.

Tim Bresnan and Anthony McGrath both claimed two wickets apiece in Hampshire’s second innings while Michael Brown (58 not out) and Nic Pothas (28 not out) will hope to start the fightback on day four.

Elswhere in Division One, Durham were left frustrated after an excellent morning’s work when rain prevented any play after 2.45pm in their match against Surrey at Chester-le-Street.

Durham were 76 for two in their second innings, 117 ahead, after taking the last eight Surrey wickets for 66 runs to dismiss the visitors for 183.

Only Ali Brown (38) showed any resistance for Surrey before he became Steve Harmison’s only wicket despite bowling well to finish with figures of 11.1-4-27-1.

It was England Lions seamer Graham Onions who impressed most with the ball to collect 4-73 off 20 overs.

Durham lost openers Mark Stoneman (23) after he was trapped lbw by Saqlain Mushtaq and Michael Di Venuto (14) fell to the same fate 31 runs later to seamer Jimmy Ormond.

Tim Murtagh took seven wickets for Middlesex

Kyle Coetzer (22no) and Neil McKenzie (11no) will resume in the morning as Durham look to press home the advantage.

Mustaq Ahmed took 5-83 as defending champions Sussex’s finished in strong position in their match with Kent at Hove.

The spinner mopped up the tail as Kent were dimissed for 204 in response to Sussex’s first-innings total of 303.

Azhar Mahmood claimed 2-27 as Sussex slumped to 179 for seven at stumps but the title-holders have a lead of 278 thanks mainly to half-centuries from Matt Prior (59) and Luke Wright (58).

Meanwhile there was no play at Old Trafford as the whole of the third day of Lancashire’s match watch with Somerset was washed out.

In Division Two, Tim Murtagh finshed with career-best figures of 7-95 as Middlesex entered the final day with a 64-run lead over Glamorgan at Lord’s.

Murtagh helped dismiss Glarmogan for 300 despite a battling 80 from Jamie Dalrymple, returning to his former club.

Andrew Strauss was unbeaten on 33 as Middlesex’s reached 56 without loss at the close and he will resume with Billy Godleman who is 21 not out.

Elsewhere Chris Wright took 3-62 as Derbyshire were dismissed for 239 to give Essex a 31-run first-innings lead in a rain-affected match at the County Ground.

Steve Magoffin took 3-42 as Worcestershire reduced Leicestershire to 170 for seven having earlier declared on 300 for eight in a weather-hit day at New Road.

Warwickshire’s Ian Salisbury hit an unbeaten half-century on his debut to rescue the Bears from the jaws of defeat against Northamptonshire.

Salisbury posted 54 not out with Neil Carter’s 47 as Warwickshire rallied from 129 for seven to post a first-innings total of 243.

Lee Daggett then removed three Northamptonshire second-innings wickets but the visitors remain 312 runs behind as the home side closed on 170 for four after bad light stopped play.