In-form Michael Clarke continues to re-write the Hampshire record books.

Against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens yesterday he became the first batsman to score three hundreds in as many first class innings for the county since Gordon Greenidge achieved the feat 18 years ago.

Less than a week after scoring twin hundreds against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, the 23-year-old, pictured right, dazzled the Cardiff crowd with a breathtaking 109 against a Glamorgan attack that included his fellow Australian Mike Kasprowicz.

But what made his tenth first class hundred all the more impressive was the fact that he went into the game as a major doubt after being struck on the foot during the day-night match that was played on the eve of this vital championship match.

Hampshire began the day on 16 for 3 following a triple whammy that saw the opening batsmen depart either side of night watchman Shaun Udal the previous evening.

But Clarke produced his best innings yet for Hampshire just when it was needed most. It was because it was so vital to the cause that made it so much better than the career-best 140 he made against Notts a week ago.

Without it, Hampshire would be staring down the barrel. Instead the match had all the makings of developing into a thriller when play began this morning.

Fittingly, Clarke received two standing ovations for his hundred. A mix-up by the scoreboard operator, who had awarded two leg byes to Clarke, meant that 'Pup' had reached 99 and not 101 when he pulled Robert Croft through mid-wicket for the 17th of his 18 fours.

No matter, a single shortly afterwards brought more applause. A few overs later, Clarke departed after more than three hours at the crease, after a tired looking cut sent the ball straight into the hands of Weymouth-born Dean Cosker at point.

Clarke faced 137 balls and hit Croft for a straight six on the the way to Hampshire's ninth championship hundred of the season.

But, in contrast, John Crawley failed to produce his Trent Bridge form, facing 89 balls for his 18 before he was trapped lbw by his former England teammate Croft.

Crawley had escaped a close shout two balls earlier but he was on his way when he failed to play a shot against a Croft off-break, after putting on 60 with Clarke for the fourth wicket.

Nic Pothas (18) helped Clarke put on a further 71 before he was caught at first slip in the fourth over after lunch. But Glamorgan were on top when Croft took the wickets of Hampshire's centurion and Dimitri Mascarenhas, who was caught at leg slip, in successive overs.

At that point Hampshire were 195 for 7 with only one recognised batsman still there in Jimmy Adams. But, like Clarke before him, Adams produced his best when it was needed most, scoring a championship top score of 75 from just 125 balls.

The left-hander put on an invaluable 56 for the eight wicket with Shane Warne before Hampshire's skipper missed an attempted cut.

Hampshire lost their penultimate wicket in farcical fashion. James Bruce was run out by David Hemp from deep mid-wicket after being sent back by Adams.

Then, with two runs needed for a valuable second bonus point, Adams betrayed his inexperience when he mis-timed a hook against Kasprowicz and was caught at long leg, to leave Hampshire three runs adrift of Glamorgan's 301.

But Hampshire were favourites at the end of play as the wicket was taking increasing amounts of turn as well as invariable bounce.

Bruce and Warne will testify to that. A grubber helped Bruce hit Mark Wallace's off stump with the second ball of the innings. And, with his very first ball, a vintage Warne leg break spat out of the rough and left-hander Hemp was bowled as he shouldered arms.

At stumps Glamorgan were 44 for 2, a lead of 47.