It was in the afternoon, when a number of Hampshire supporters drifted into the Arlott Atrium bar to watch Yorkshire’s heroic last-wicket stand against Middlesex on TV, that one sensed the game might be up for their own team.
Hampshire narrowly avoided relegation last season but this time a number of their followers are convinced there is no escape. Hampshire can hardly muster an argument to say they should not be going down. After all, they have defeated only Nottinghamshire (twice) this year and that team are such pushovers that beating them should only earn half points.
However, contrary to what some of the doom-laden are saying here, Hampshire still have a decent chance of defeating Durham, thereby avoiding the drop. At the close of the third day they had a lead of 226, with three wickets left. And Hampshire’s spinners have appeared the more potent in this match. It could be a fascinating finish.
Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, is still making his side favourites. “We’ll look to bat for about an hour tomorrow and see where we are,” he said. “It makes for an interesting game. The wicket has spun throughout the game. And now it’s offering a lot of spin. We are hoping to put Durham under pressure chasing a score.
“It didn’t go to plan this morning but they batted very well. It was frustrating for us and we weren’t at our best. But we’ll be better with the ball second time round. Our spinners are big turners of the ball. And Brad Wheal has bowled with good pace and hurried a few. We’re in the game with plenty to play for on the last day of the season. We’d have probably taken this situation at the beginning of the match.”
The game, then, is in the balance. But when Hampshire scored 411 in their first innings and reduced Durham to 186 for seven on a turning pitch they looked clear favourites; winning, though, is not a habit they have acquired.
Durham’s last three wickets added 175, and it was in the latter stages of Wednesday that the game slid out of Hampshire’s grip.
The rain on Thursday morning – defying the forecast – washed out the first session. When play did resume Durham, 242 for seven overnight, still 169 behind, carried on batting until the deficit was a mere 50.
Hampshire took the new ball immediately after the early lunch but were profligate with it. Both Ryan McLaren and Gareth Berg bowled wide. But when Liam Dawson came on at 265 for seven he took a wicket with his first delivery, as Brydon Carse edged to Will Smith at second slip.
But then Michael Richardson and Graham Onions added another 86 for the ninth wicket before Onions was caught at short-leg fending off a short ball from the distinctly rapid Wheal.
Richardson then drove Dawson over long-on for six but a great disappointment was in store for him. Two balls later he pushed Dawson for a single to reach 99, just one away from his sixth first-class century. That left the last man Chris Rushworth with one ball of the over to survive. But he did not look interested in survival. He took a wild swing in the direction of Pluto and was promptly given out lbw by the umpire Nick Cook.
A sheepish Rushworth headed straight for the pavilion. Richardson waved his arm in frustration and remained at the crease, a little like Paul Eddington at the end of the TV showing of Outside Edge. The Hampshire players, on their way back to their dressing room, had to go back to the pitch to congratulate him. When Hampshire batted again they were in one-day mode but soon floundered against the spinners and ended the day on 176 for seven, with much to play for.
