Barker and Wheal put Hampshire in control
A compelling LV=Insurance County Championship contest is unfolding at Edgbaston where Hampshire closed the second day on 260-8 in their second innings - 233 ahead of Division 1 leaders Warwickshire.
A fluctuating second day was heading the home side's way when they had Hampshire 208-8, just 181 in front, but former Edgbaston favourite Keith Barker dug in with Brad Wheal to add an unbroken 52 up to stumps, writes BRIAN HALFORD.
After taking a five-for on the first day, Barker continued to impede his former team-mates' title bid with an unbeaten 49 (124 balls) with power to add.
Warwickshire will face an awkward chase in pursuit of a victory which would keep them top of the championship table.
On a hot afternoon, Liam Norwell led the Bears bowling manfully with 4-64 while Danny Briggs wheeled away skilfully for 36-17-38-2 against his former county. But their injury-hit attack was exposed as other bowlers, notably home debutant Chemar Holder, struggled for control.
After the freak clatter of wickets on the first day, a good pitch was put into proper perspective on the second when wickets had to be much harder-earned.
Trailing by 27 on first innings, Hampshire resumed on 41 without loss and took the score to 55 before Norwell made the breakthrough. The big-hearted paceman swung one in to win an lbw appeal against Joe Weatherley (24, 53 balls).
Ian Holland and Tom Alsop added 54 before the Bears struck a double blow just before lunch. Holland (44, 93 balls) edged Norwell to Rob Yates at slip and then Briggs got one to lift at Nick Gubbins and Will Rhodes took a sharp catch at slip.
Briggs bowled with great control after lunch and added the scalp of Alsop (33, 93 balls), adroitly stumped by Michael Burgess, before Norwell trapped Liam Dawson lbw.
James Vince batted diligently for 48 (67 balls, seven fours) and it was a
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