Hampshire (336 & 76-1) lead Middlesex (361) by 51 runs 

HAMPSHIRE’S injury nightmare continued when Chris Wood limped off for the second time in as many Specsavers County Championship matches.

The 25 year-old was forced off two overs into a new spell against Middlesex at The Ageas Bowl yesterday afternoon, with a reoccurrence of the knee injury sustained during his first four-day match for a year against county champions Yorkshire a fortnight ago.

Once again, the talented left-armer battled on as long as he was able before the pain in his right knee made it impossible to continue.

It is hoped Wood, who had an operation on his left knee 18 months ago, will soon add to his 38 first-class appearances.

But he will not be risked today.

With Fidel Edwards, Reece Topley, Ryan Stevenson, Gareth Berg and Brad Taylor all crocked and Liam Dawson unable to bowl, Hampshire’s bowling resources were already stretched.

Debutant Tino Best, an emergency signing on a short-term contract, did not make the breakthroughs he would have hoped for yesterday, while conceding 74 runs at more than a run-a-ball from four three-over blasts.

At least James Tomlinson and Ryan McLaren provided a reminder of the depth in Hampshire’s squad, taking 4-74 apiece as Middlesex were bowled out for 361 - a first-innings lead of 25.

Dawid Malan, having been dropped on 26 the day before, progressed to 106, reaching his first hundred of the season from 134 balls (18 fours).

After adding 182 in 52 overs with fellow left-hander John Simpson, he was out in relatively tame fashion.

Mason Crane made the day’s first breakthrough when Malan cut a rare long-hop from the leg-spinner, straight to McLaren at extra cover, after lunch.

In the following over, Tomlinson continued his encouraging start to the season when a little away movement helped find Simpson’s outside edge. A diving Adam Wheater did the rest.

Then, with the second new ball ten overs old, McLaren uprooted the off stumps of Paul Stirling and Toby Roland-Jones in the space of seven deliveries.

Stirling was bowled through the gate by an off cutter angled in from wide of the crease and Roland-Jones failed to pull a ball that kept low.

Best’s last three-over spell cost 30 runs as James Harris (57) and then Tim Murtagh, who needed only 39  balls for his unbeaten 37, had a thrash.

But Tomlinson continued his excellent start to the season by taking the last two wickets after tea.

Tomlinson only expected to play a few games this season but has responded to the spate of injuries by returning to something like his best form. 

In the fifth over of the final session, the left-armer trapped Harris lbw.

With Middlesex captain Adam Voges convalescing at home following his blow to the head on day one, the innings was complete when Steve Finn holed out in Tomlinson’s next over.

Only four players, including England contender Jake Ball, have more division one wickets than the 12 Tomlinson has already snaffled at 21.5 apiece.

Hampshire reached 76-1 in the 23 overs that remained.

After losing Michael Carberry, captain James Vince (28*) and Jimmy Adams (16*) negotiated a tricky last 16 overs in adding 54 before the close. 

Hampshire bowling: Best 19-1-93-0, Tomlinson 20.3-4-74-4, Wood 16.2-5-39-0, McLaren 24-4-74-4, Crane 25-7-60-1.