Day 2: Hampshire 455 lead Yorkshire 128-6 by 327 runs

Gareth Berg scored an unbeaten 99 before destroying the Yorkshire top order with 4-32 as Hampshire showed off their title credentials at The Ageas Bowl.

All-rounder Berg equalled his best score for Hampshire as the tail ground down the visitors before eventually they were bowled out for 455.

But Berg produced an incredible spell with the ball which included the scalp of new England captain Joe Root.

The day began with James Vince unbeaten on 143, but he only managed four more runs before Ben Coad found his inside edge from wide of the crease.

That sparked a mini-collapse as Hampshire lost three wickets for two runs.

David Willey got in on the act in the next over with Lewis McManus caught down the leg side.

In his next over the England one-day all-rounder managed to jagged one back to trap the dangerous Liam Dawson lbw.

Kyle Abbott and Berg counter-attacked for Hampshire – putting on 44 – before the former was run out chasing a bonus point.

But Berg grabbed the initiative.

He had been dropped on 43 by Adam Lyth but soon had an 89-ball half-century.

Following a 41-run stand. Topley was lbw to Adil Rashid for a career-best 16.

But Berg added another 68 for the last wicket with Brad Wheal (13), during which he smashed a six over long-on, before his partner edged Joe Root to Lyth.

The pitch had seemed to flatten out throughout the Hampshire innings but the hosts disproved the theory with a stunning blitz.

Abbott produced pressure at the Pavilion End while Berg knocked them over at the other.

Berg began by pinning Alex Lees in front and Lyth chopped on at the other end.

Root was given a tough going over by extreme seam movement before edging Berg behind to Lewis McManus.

Abbott got in on the act by having Australian overseas Peter Handscomb lbw – leaving the visitors 46-5 The pressure did not relent as Topley bowled for Hampshire for the first time.

But despite a number of close shouts it was Wheal who made the next key breakthrough – picking up the prized scalp of Jonny Bairstow leg before.

Skipper Gary Ballance dug Yorkshire out their slump with an unbeaten 63.

He added 48 with Tim Bresnan (21), who became Berg’s fourth victim when he was caught behind, and an unbroken 34 with Rashid as Yorkshire reached stumps still 327 runs in arrears.