North flies South with Hants on top

Warwickshire's Tim Ambrose looks on as fellow wicketkeeper Nic Pothas cracks a shot through point en route to 122 not out

Hampshire built a hefty total on the second day of their LV= County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston - but their victory bid will be hampered by the abrupt departure of Marcus North.

The visitors extended their first innings to 379, with acting captain Nic Pothas scoring an unbeaten 122, to put the home side under pressure.

That pressure increased when Warwickshire wobbled to 54 for three before a century from Jim Troughton defied the early pace-setters and lifted the hosts to 224 for four at the close.

Hampshire still have the edge but they must push for victory without Australia batsman North, who was called up by his country with immediate effect for their one-day series against Pakistan in Dubai, following the withdrawal through injury of Shaun Marsh.

North had already batted in Hampshire’s first innings but will fly out tonight. Hampshire promptly secured permission from the ECB to bring in Michael Lumb, who was playing for Hampshire’s second team against Sussex at the Rose Bowl, as a replacement for the rest of the match.

Jim Troughton guides his side towards a respectable total en route to 100 not out

After Hampshire resumed yesterday morning on 310 for seven, Pothas and Chris Tremlett took their eighth-wicket partnership to 70 in 20 overs before the latter, on 36, had his middle-stump knocked back by Chris Woakes.

David Balcombe soon fell lbw to Boyd Rankin before Pothas reached his century in fine style, thrashing Darren Maddy to the cover boundary to reach the milestone from 188 balls with 15 fours and a six.

The skipper ended unbeaten on 122 (233 balls, 16 fours and a six) after a 10th-wicket partnership of 35 ended when James Tomlinson fended Rikki Clarke to short leg.

Warwickshire’s reply hit early trouble as they lost two wickets in the ninth over, from Dominic Cork. Darren Maddy edged the first ball of it to second slip then Jonathan Trott played the fifth to extra cover, called for a quick single and saw partner Tony Frost fail to beat a direct-hit throw from substitute fielder David Griffiths.

Trott then perished to a loose shot at Tomlinson which sent the ball flying to Cork, who took a fine one-handed catch at first slip.

Troughton and Bell added 66 before the latter gloved a brute of a lifter from Chris Tremlett to depart for 29.

However, Troughton was not to be moved. He was dropped on 99 by Liam Dawson at short fine leg but reached his 15th first-class century from 172 balls with 12 fours and added an unbroken 104 with Tim Ambrose by the close.