County Championship: Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan hits first century of summer

Dawid Malan's century helped Middlesex build a first-innings' lead against Hampshire, but a draw looks the most likely result at The Ageas Bowl.

Resuming on 84-3, Malan (121) and John Simpson (65) extended their fourth-wicket stand to 182 before both fell in consecutive overs after lunch.

James Harris also hit 57, while James Tomlinson took 4-74, as Middlesex were all out for 361 - a lead of 25.

Hampshire lost opener Michael Carberry early, but moved to 76-1 at stumps.

With more than half of day two lost to rain, a Hampshire batting collapse on the final day appears to be the only chance of a positive result, with both sides having drawn their opening two games.

Middlesex had looked set for a bigger advantage after Malan and Simpson took them to 240-3, but Malan's dismissal by teenage leg-spinner Mason Crane sparked a mini collapse as the visitors lost four wickets for 39.

Harris' half-century and Tim Murtagh's attacking 39 not out took Middlesex past Hampshire's first-innings total of 336, before Tomlinson removed Harris and Steve Finn to end the innings with skipper Adam Voges unable to bat because of concussion.

Murtagh trapped first-innings centurion Carberry lbw for 15, but Jimmy Adams (16 not out) and skipper James Vince (28 not out) made sure there were no further alarms.