County Championship: Hampshire need six Middlesex wickets on final day

Mohammad Abbas took the first Middlesex wicket, bowling Sam Robson

Hampshire need six more Middlesex wickets on the final day to make it back-to-back County Championship wins.

Set a target of 531 for victory, Middlesex closed on 208-4 having recovered from 33-3 at The Ageas Bowl.

Nick Gubbins (67) and Robbie White (73 not out) led the fightback with a stand of 122 but Middlesex face an uphill battle to take anything from the game.

Earlier, Ian Holland (146 not out) and Sam Northeast (118) moved Hampshire on from 204-2 to declare on 290-4.

White's battling knock of more than three hours gave his side a glimmer of hope but, with fine weather forecast in Southampton on Sunday, and Middlesex still trailing by 323, Hampshire remain big favourites.

Home opener Holland capped a fine game with his career-best ton, beating his 143 against Warwickshire in 2019, to add to his 64 in the first innings, while Northeast made his 25th career hundred.

Their third-wicket stand was worth 257 when Northeast was bowled by Steven Finn and Hampshire declared.

Hampshire looked as though they might wrap up victory inside three days when Middlesex were three down quickly, but their bowlers were frustrated after tea despite Holland claiming the wicket of Gubbins.

Hampshire all-rounder Ian Holland:

"It was nice to get some runs and contribute, I missed out last week and watched some boys go out and score some big hundreds.

"So it was nice for some to come my way and get some runs for the team to put us in a good position.

"We're more than 300 runs ahead and, with the new ball due in 11 overs, we are in a good spot to hopefully win the game."