The build-up to Hampshire's new season has been all about the arrival of Kevin Pietersen but last night Shane Warne was thankful for the heart of local boy Billy Taylor.

Three wickets in four overs from the Winchester-born seamer was the latest twist in a compelling contest against Gloucestershire, who were racing to the victory target of 252 with the minimum of fuss before Taylor's heroics helped reduce them to 145-5, still 107 short of victory with one day left.

The pattern of Gloucestershire's first innings had suggested that the early removal of openers Craig Spearman and Philip Weston would be the key to victory.

But Gloucestershire's opening pair racked up an opening partnership of 129, an outstanding effort in the context of this match.

Shane Warne tried everything he could, and introduced occasional left-armer Jimmy Adams to the attack as Hampshire struggled to make any breakthrough.

But you can always rely on Taylor, who finished with 3-36, to give everything of himself in Hampshire's cause. And he was rewarded for his commitment with the wickets of Spearman and Weston in successive overs to give Hampshire real hope.

First he beat the defence of Weston, and he followed up by finding the inside edge of Spearman's blade minutes later.

Suddenly, Hampshire were in the ascendancy and they were cock-a-hoop when Warne got in on the act by trapping Chris Taylor leg before on the back foot.

It got better when debutant Kadeer Ali was pinned lbw in Taylor's next over, and Tim Hancock became the fifth Gloucestershire wicket to fall in just seven overs when he edged Warne to slip.

Warne introduced an intimidatingly close field for Steve Adshead and Gloucestershire did not hesitate in accepting when they were offered the light shortly afterwards. Within 20 minutes of being in a position of strength, the visitors finished the day in a flutter.

But do not be surprised if there is another twist left in this match.

Tremlett's career-best 64, and Warne's fifth half-century for Hampshire, came at nearly a run-a-ball and looked to have put the game beyond Gloucestershire, when the home side were eventually bowled out for 275.

It was comfortably the highest score of the match so far and was a plucky effort after beginning the day on 111 for 6.

Sean Ervine helped put on 51 for the seventh wicket with Warne, who added a further 70 in just 11 overs with Tremlett before he was caught at point.

It was a true captain's innings from Warne, who must have had a maiden first class century in his sights when he reached his fifty by cutting Lewis through the covers.

Hope of a career best for Warne did not diminish when he was dropped by James Averis at mid-off on 58.

Sadly, he soon fell seven runs short of his Hampshire best but he had already given his team a total to defend.

He had also set the tempo and it was one that Tremlett was more than happy to maintain.

The Hampshire giant produced his highest score for his home county when it mattered most, hitting 64 from 71 balls for only the second first class fifty of his career.

It put Hampshire in a position of strength, and with Richard Logan following fellow debutant Ervine's lead with a pugnacious 28, the home side were suddenly in a good position to begin life back in the county championship's first division with a win.

An impressive second innings total of 275 and the late flurry of Gloucestershire wickets has given the home county every chance.