David Balcombe bowled Hampshire back into contention against Yorkshire with his best LV= County Championship figures for three years.

The tall seamer claimed 3 for 20 yesterday to finish with 3 for 69, a deserved haul after a luckless return to the side against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Balcombe has claimed three wickets in a Championship innings once before, against the same opponents at Headingley at the end of the 2007 season - Shane Warne’s last first-class match.

But on yesterday’s evidence, his next significant haul is not far away.

After being recalled to the side because of injuries to Kabir Ali and David Griffiths, he was delighted to take his chance.

"It’s nice to get back in," said the 25-year-old. "A few patches have been tough but I’ve kept whacking the wicket and it’s come out really nicely.

"I’ve been guilty in the past of searching for wickets and going for boundaries but I’ve kept it really simple by whacking a line and length."

Balcombe prevented Yorkshire from totalling 500-plus by removing Richard Pyrah (8), Adil Rashid (51) and Oliver Hannon-Dalby (0) with bounce and swing from the Pavilion End after lunch.

"I had a good spell after lunch at Notts but with four maidens on the bounce and three wickets, this was the most rewarding," he said.

"We wanted to clear them up because Rashid and Pyrah can be quite dangerous when they get in."

The track produced for this match has pleased bowlers and batsmen alike.

"A bit of grass has been left on it and it’s carried through nicely," said Balcombe.

"It’s quite flat but if you build up pressure you have a chance of getting nicks because they do carry.

"It’s a good cricket wicket and the heat has helped it swing consistently. But I’ve just been concentrating on making the most of my height."