ON THE kind of pitch on which a technically adept batsman will graft and others attempt to strike 30 or 40 rapidly in the face of constant movement off the seam, Hampshire finished with an indeterminate, if not wholly inadequate total. Only 43 overs were possible, to go with 29 on the first day, and some imaginative captaincy will be required today and tomorrow to produce a result.

No play was possible until 3.30pm, and then only as a result of gargantuan efforts from the groundstaff. Resuming on 72 for four, Hampshire required further adherence to technique from John Crawley and, in keeping with Shane Warne’s attack-minded outlook, swift runs from the lower middle order. Quite enough time had been lost already in this match.

There were contributions from just about everybody, but of insufficient quantity. Sean Ervine went leg-before as he made to drive Darren Stevens through mid-on, while Crawley added only ten to his overnight 33, Robbie Joseph drawing him into an edge behind.

The pitch was still damp, enabling Andrew Hall in particular to move the ball away from the right-hander, although, unlike on Wednesday, he was wicketless.

Simon Cook removed Dimitri Mascarenhas after he had taken four fours off an over from Joseph, an exotic drive too many resulting in another catch by Niall O’Brien, the wicketkeeper. Joseph returned to have Warne held at first slip, which left Nic Pothas to collect such runs as he could in the remaining overs. Hampshire now have to decide whether to declare first thing this morning.