Durham were 303- 6 after Ben Stokes’ (41) middle and leg stumps were removed by an inswinger from Ali and in the next over, a similar delivery, which came off Mustard’s pads, saw his replacement returning to the pavilion without scoring.
Mark Davies, wearing gloves with tinges of fluorescent orange, and Liam Plunkett put on a fifty partnership from 100 balls, which included six fours. Both were out just prior to the lunch break with Plunkett caught behind off Ali for 41 and Davies out lbw to Carberry.
Durham were 379-9 at lunch and after the break Thorp and Claydon added 5 before last wicket fell, the former bowled by Ali for 11.
Mitchell Claydon struck in the fifth over, Carberry out lbw for 18, leaving Hampshire 22-1. Claydon left the field in the middle of his third over, with Plunkett bowling the remaining deliveries. Durham CCC physio, Nigel Kent, later confirmed that Mitchell had suffered abdominal muscle strain and it would be unlikely that he would bowl in the remainder of the match. He was replaced on the field by Chris Rushworth.
Hampshire were 66-2 after Adams (25) swept it to Ben Stokes who dived and took a one handed catch at square leg, handing Blackwell his first wicket of the innings.
At tea the visitors were 73-2 and they only added ten runs to their total after the break before Neil McKenzie was caught and bowled by Callum Thorp for 5.
Blackwell picked up his second wicket, Benham trapped lbw for 43, as Hampshire moved onto 117-4. Nic Pothas and James Vince put on a fifty partnership, which included six boundaries, from 97 balls.
With three overs left of the day Vince was bowled by Stokes for 46 leaving Hampshire 170-5, adding four before the close of play.
Head Coach, Geoff Cook gave us his thoughts on the game so far, “It’s been a hard fought encounter so far and I can’t see it being any different tomorrow. It’s generally a placid paced pitch without much sideways movement and generally the bowlers have got to work pretty hard. Plunkett today was outstanding without any fortune at all. If we could get a couple out before the new ball that would be good and the target is to chase down as little as possible.”