He may regret not batting after winning the toss, but Nic Pothas should be applauded for a brave declaration that breathed life into Hampshire’s LV= County Championship match against Yorkshire.

Yorkshire will begin the final day at the Rose Bowl on 152-1, a lead of 216, following Hampshire’s bold decision to declare 64 runs behind.

After David Balcombe and Dominic Cork attacked Yorkshire with an entertaining 43-ball partnership of 55, a Rangana Herath cameo guided Hampshire to 351 for 9 and a fourth batting point, prompting the declaration.

With time running out, it was a good decision by Pothas as a stubborn last-wicket stand would only have increased the chances of a bore draw.

Hampshire do not need to be reminded that they have not won a Championship match at the Rose Bowl for more than a year and declaring when they did increased the chances of a fifth defeat in seven.

But it was a risk well worth taking.

With 16 points available for a win and only three for a draw this season, risking defeat in pursuit of victory was a no-brainer for Pothas.

After resuming on 162-3, 253 behind Yorkshire’s daunting first-innings total, Hampshire batted positively, scoring at nearly four an over before the declaration came during the afternoon session.

Two big wickets were lost before lunch.

Hampshire were in no trouble at all before James Vince (24) was run out in bizarre fashion. After turning for a third, the youngster found himself at the same end as Neil McKenzie. An excellent throw from Adil Rashid on the cover boundary and a direct hit from bowler Richard Pyrah did the rest.

Five overs later, an 18-ball cameo from Sean Ervine (20) ended when he nicked West Indian fast bowler Tino Best to first slip, where Jacques Rudolph held on to his third catch of the innings at the second attempt.

Hampshire lost Pothas (23) and McKenzie (91) eight overs into the afternoon session.

Pothas handed leg-spinner Rashid (4-62) a simple return catch in the fourth over after lunch and a stunning one-handed catch by Rudolph denied his compatriot McKenzie back-to-back hundreds.

Cue the entertainment.

Three overs after McKenzie’s departure, Best took the second new ball. It was welcomed by Hampshire.

Balcombe’s recent net sessions against Simon Jones paid dividends.

After a textbook cover drive against one of the Championship’s fastest bowlers, a Best beamer slipped out – and Balcombe took evasive action again when that was followed by a bouncer.

Balcombe ended the over by crashing the ball back past Best for a second successive four.

Cork (26) did his best to calm the stocky strike bowler down at the non-striker's end – but he was lbw at the beginning of Best’s next over.

Having taken three wickets for the first time since his second Championship appearance, Balcombe made a Hampshire-best 30.

His 32-ball cameo surpassed the 29 he made on debut against Kent three years ago, but he was bowled around his legs in Rashid’s first over back.

He was soon in the wickets again.

After Herath’s run-a-ball 17*, Balcombe struck early in his spell (5-0-22-1), but not with his best delivery.

A short, wide ball was cut by Joe Sayers straight to Michael Carberry at backward point, but Yorkshire were in firm control by the close.

Left-hander Adam Lyth (64*) went past 800 Championship runs for the season while putting on 116 in 30 overs with Anthony McGrath (60*).

It will be Yorkshire’s turn to make a brave declaration this morning.