BEN Stokes failed by ten runs to score a century in one session when he followed up his blistering bowling by reaching 90 not out at tea on the third day at the Rose Bowl.

With Michael Di Venuto falling in the over before lunch, Stokes was at the crease straight afterwards and continued to bestride the stage like a colossus.

On 249 for three at tea Durham led by 428 with four sessions left. With the pitch looking as flat as ever the only concern was over when to declare.

Stokes scored 52 of the runs in a stand of 88 with Gordon Muchall, who for the second time in the match failed to build on his half-century.

He fell for 52 when he drove a return catch to occasional off-spinner Johan Myburgh, then Dale Benkenstein reached 39 as a further 79 were added in 17 overs.

Briggs apart, Hampshire generally went through the motions once they had suffered the early loss from their attack of Simon Jones and Dominic Cork, but that should not detract from an astonishing performance by Stokes.

His combination of power and timing made run scoring look easy and there were even two perfect reverse sweeps for four off Briggs.