COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Liverpool:
17-20 June 2009 (Play begins 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Lancashire 208 and 144-2, Hampshire 345 (Lancs 4pts, Hants 6pts)

Mascarenhas hit his highest score since his career-best 131 v Kent in 2006

Dimitri Mascarenhas eased some of the pain from England's World Twenty20 exit with a magnificent ton to put Hampshire on top against Lancashire at Aigburth.

The Hampshire captain produced a stunning counter attack to hit 108 off 129 balls to propel his side to 345 in reply to the home side's 208.

Mal Loye (55) cleared the first innings deficit of 137 with the help of Andrew Flintoff's unbeaten 36 off 61 balls.

And Lancashire closed on 144-2, leading by seven runs going into the final day.

For all Flintoff's improvement after three successive failures this week with the bat for the county, he was overshadowed by another England all-rounder, whose international efforts have so far been limited to one-day cricket.

In hitting his eighth first-class career ton, and his first in almost three years, Mascarenhas flayed England hopefuls Sajid Mahmood and Gary Keedy, as well as home skipper Glen Chapple (3-77 off 23 overs) to all parts of Liverpool Cricket Club.

But he was indebted to his wicketkeeper Nic Pothas for a combative 86 off 112 balls that ensured the visitors gained a first innings lead.

Lancashire batsman Mal Loye told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It was more favourable conditions for batsmen today, I think if we go for four days there maybe something in it for the spinners.

"It was Dimi's (Mascarenhas) day, he's a quality player and he got them a useful lead.

"We probably didn't bowl that well as we could in that situation but as soon as batsmen get in like that it's difficult to get them out."

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