Berg And Holland Half-Centuries Give Hampshire Edge On Day Three

Gareth Berg and Ian Holland both hit half-centuries to give Hampshire the advantage on day three of their Specsavers County Championship contest with Surrey at the The Ageas Bowl.

Berg (80) played a sublime innings as the hosts were bowled out for 290 to hold a 90-run lead, with Holland (51) also making a significant contribution with the bat.

In reply, Liam Dawson (2-24) was the pick of the bowlers as Hampshire restricted the visitors to 135-4 at the close of play meaning they hold a narrow 45-run lead.

Holland continued his form with the bat, bringing up a deserved half-century off 121 balls with his seventh boundary as Hampshire made a bright start to proceedings.

The all-rounder was then bowled by Stuart Meaker (1-33) shortly after to end a crucial, 41-run stand as the hosts edged towards a possible lead.

Gareth Berg had played the supportive role, but took the initiative and batted responsibly with the lower-order whilst Kyle Abbott pummelled his side into a lead whilst earning their first batting point.

Berg raced his second half-century of the season in style, smashing Batty for a maximum to reach the landmark, whilst also bringing up the fifty partnership with Abbott (37*) as the pair continued to score quickly.

The all-rounder surpassed his previous highest score against Surrey, and the pair guided their side to a useful position on 247-8 at lunch, with 118 runs coming in a strong session for the hosts.

Berg moved Hampshire to their second batting point in the first over of the afternoon session, but his important innings came to an end with the score on 263-9.

Surrey decided to take the new ball and in the second over after it was taken, he feathered behind to give Jade Dernbach (3-51) his third scalp.

Fidel Edwards (20) provided some lower-order entertainment, recording three consecutive boundaries before Tom Curran (4-69) dismissed the right-hander as Hampshire were dismissed for 290.

After weathering an early storm with the new ball, both Rory Burns and Ryan Patel began positively to get their side off to a solid reply.

However, the breakthrough came in Dawson’s third over of his spell, with Patel (20) top-edging a sweep shot to Sean Ervine who took a good catch running backwards at first slip.

Dawson then claimed another wicket in his second over after tea, with Borthwick (1) feathering behind to Alsop, who took a neat catch.

Kyle Abbott (1-34) then returned and made an instant impact, bowling Jason Roy (1) with a beautiful delivery that saw his off-stump cartwheeling as Surrey fell from 44-0 to 51-3.

Ben Foakes (33*) launched a counter-attack alongside Rory Burns and the pair increased the scoring rate with a flurry of quick boundaries.

Dawson and Edwards restricted the scoring, with the Surrey pair progressing at a rate of a run per over, but they edged their side into a lead with 17 overs remaining in the days play.

Burns then moved to his half-century, whilst bringing up the fifty partnership as Hampshire rotated their bowling options, despite Dawson producing an economical spell at the other end.

The breakthrough came courtesy of Weatherley (1-21), who trapped Burns (63) in front for his maiden first-class wicket as Surrey moved onto 122-4.

Foakes and Ollie Pope (11*) ensured there were no further alarms, taking Surrey to 135-4 at the close.