Darren Pattinson celebrates removing Liam Dawson for a duck

Nottinghamshire improved their County Championship title hopes with a superb bowling display against rivals Hampshire on day one at Trent Bridge.

Opening bowlers Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson collected three wickets each as Hampshire finished on 199-9, one run short of a bonus point.

Andre Adams (2-26) and Mark Ealham (1-41) provided good bowling support.

Dimitri Mascarenhas (41) and Nic Pothas (44) helped the visitors towards 200 before bad light ended play early.

A victory would secure Nottinghamshire their second County Championship title in four years, even if rivals Somerset and Durham clinch victories in their remaining fixtures.

But Hampshire's faint hopes of snatching the title look to have ended after an indifferent batting display in grey, overcast conditions in Nottingham.

The visitors named Imran Tahir in their starting XI, a surprise as the leg-spinner had been expected to return to South Africa for the start of their domestic season with Titans.

Notts captain Chris Read won the toss and elected to field first and utilise the favourable bowling conditions with the in-form Shreck and Pattinson forming his new-ball attack.

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But Hampshire openers Michael Carberry and Mike Brown produced an obdurate opening stand of 46 before the medium pace of Ealham induced an edge from Brown into the safe hands of wicketkeeper Read.

Adams soon struck for the first of his two dismissals when Michael Lumb shouldered arms to a straight ball, leaving umpire Richard Kettlebrough the easiest of lbw decisions.

Chris Benham followed for nine, again lbw to Adams, before Carberry edged a sharp Shreck delivery to Read for 23.

Struggling at 74-4, Hampshire attempted to consolidate with Pothas and Sean Ervine, but the Zimbabwe international played on to Pattinson for the first of his three dismissals.

Liam Dawson soon followed before Pothas' watchful innings ended when an inside edge clattered into his stumps to leave Hampshire 151-7.

Mascarenhas received support from Tremlett (4) and Tahir before he meekly drove into the hands of Will Jefferson at short cover.

But Tahir pushed Hampshire towards the 200-mark with some late hitting, although poor light ensured the visitors were left stranded one run short of securing the bonus point.