COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Rose Bowl:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Hampshire 337, Lancashire 487-4 (Hants 4pts, Lancs 8pts)
6-9 August 2009

Laxman hit 19 fours and one six in his unbeaten 135

A VVS Laxman century helped Lancashire take the upper hand over Hampshire on day three at The Rose Bowl.

After Lancashire began the day 231 behind on 106-1, Tom Smith (95) and Mal Loye (61) extended their second-wicket partnership to 152.

When both men fell with the score on 214, Laxman (135 not out) and Mark Chilton (81) shared a stand of 216.

After Chilton fell, Francois du Plessis (38 not out) took Lancashire to 487-4 at stumps, a lead of 150.

Loye survived chances at slip and gully in the morning session as the visitors made it through to lunch without losing a wicket on 210-1.

But Smith was to fall in the first over after the break, edging paceman David Griffiths (3-74) to wicketkeeper Tom Burrows for his highest first-class score.

Loye was trapped lbw by Dimitri Mascarenhas in the next over, before Laxman and Chilton took over.

The Indian struck 19 fours and a six in his 175-ball effort, and although Chilton was caught behind to become Griffiths' third victim, it will be Lancashire who start day four as the only team with a realistic chance of victory.

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