Hampshire in charge

Hampshire have not gone into the fourth day of a Championship match this season, and for much of the second day's play at Cardiff yesterday it seemed that they would not need a third. Glamorgan lost 15 wickets in a day in which they failed by one run to avoid the follow-on and struggled to save an innings defeat.

Hampshire's tight bowling was backed up by some splendid fielding and only an unbeaten 40 by Tony Cottey in as many overs kept Glamorgan alive.

Bill Athey and Franklyn Stephenson struck centuries to help Sussex pile up 482 for 7 for a commanding lead of 280 against Gloucestershire at Hove.

Athey batted all day to reach 163 not out - his 50th first-class century. The former England batsman, who spent eight years with Gloucestershire, piled on the agony for his old club with a typically gritty innings while Stephenson provided the sparkling strokeplay with his first century of the season.

Two good partnerships helped Oxford University to their highest score of the season against Leicestershire at The Parks. They occupied the crease for all but 15 minutes before declaring on 320 for 9.

Aravinda de Silva failed in his bid to reach the fastest Championship century of the season today as rain washed out most of Kent's match with Durham. De Silva lasted only three deliveries before being caught behind by David Ligertwood for 83.