County Championship: James Harris leaves Hampshire on brink

30 June 2015

LV= County Championship Division One, Lord's (close, day three)

Hampshire 176 & 195-7: Terry 52, Wheater 50, Harris 3-60, Rayner 3-44

Middlesex 330: Compton 87, Simpson 64, Rayner 52, Wheal 4-101

Hampshire lead by 41 runs

Hampshire 2 pts, Middlesex 6 pts

Middlesex bowlers James Harris and Ollie Rayner took three wickets apiece to leave Hampshire on the brink of defeat on the third day at Lord's.

Harris made it seven wickets in the match as the visitors struggled to 195-7 in their second innings - 41 ahead.

Rayner had earlier reached 52 as Middlesex moved from their overnight 298-8 to 330 all out - a lead of 154.

But despite half-centuries from opener Sean Terry (52) and Adam Wheater (50), Hampshire could not build a big lead.

On a scorching day, Middlesex's bowlers dominated proceedings with Harris finishing with 3-60, for match figures of 7-108, and Rayner taking 3-44.

Terry batted for 205 minutes and there was also resistance from William Smith, who hung around for just short of three hours and made 30.

But Hampshire's tail is going to have to bat all day on Wednesday to avoid a fourth successive defeat in all competitions.

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