DURHAM were suddenly given a glimmer of hope when Hampshire’s second and third wickets went down in successive balls with the total on 242. But it was the faintest glimmer and had all but expired by tea.

Left-hander Jimmy Adams, out first ball in the first innings, departed for 105 to the last ball of a Scott Borthwick over when he tried to sweep the leg-spinner and top-edged a catch to Liam Plunkett at short fine leg.

Off the first ball of the next over Johan Myburgh drove at Ian Blackwell and edged to Michael Di Venuto at slip to fall for 42.

The South African is clearly a stroke-player and had he stayed until the end Hampshire might have got somewhere near to their 490 target. But the shutters went up on his exit as Neil McKenzie and James Vince added only three runs in the next five overs.

Perhaps in an attempt to keep them interested, Durham then took the unusual step of taking the new ball but persisting with spin. McKenzie immediately drove Blackwell for two fours then Vince repeated the treatment to Borthwick and at tea Hampshire were 275 for three, still 212 behind.