Following his first innings of 63, Jamie Troughton again made light of a slow wicket with a well made century to put Warwickshire in command after the third day of the Frizzell Championship match at The Rose Bowl.

Hampshire gained a first innings lead of 27 thanks to an eighth wicket partnership of 42 between Dimitri Mascarenhas and Shaun Udal. Shaun Pollock who had spent much of the second day off the field after the news that his friend Hansie Cronje had been killed in South Africa, finished the innings off soon after.

Nick Knight and Michael Powell put on 56 for the first wicket, before both were entrapped by Mascarenhas' in swingers, Chris Tremlett accounted for Dominic Ostler following a wonder catch from Will Kendall, to put the home side in charge, however, England hopeful Ian Bell, who has been struggling for runs since returning from the English Academy, got his head down and with Troughton in charge the pair shared 90 runs. Bell whose 145 ball stay including 3 fours was out when he was dragged forward by Udal and was smartly stumped by Nic Pothas.

Shaun Pollock took the bat to the ball, smiting 3 fours and a six before he drove at a quicker ball from Mullally and skied a catch to Nic Pothas who did not have to move from his position. Troughton remained not out after an innings of quality, from a young man with a future.

Warwickshire, with 5 wickets remaining lead by 240 going into the last day.

© Hampshire Cricket