A Matthew Hoggard-inspired Yorkshire are hopeful of beating the weather and winning their opening LV County Championship Division One fixture of 2008.

Hampshire begin the final day on 136 for four at Headingley, still requiring 103 runs to make their opponents bat again.

Showers and bad light have so far lopped 44 overs off the first three days' collective allocation but Hoggard's best Championship figures for five years kept Yorkshire on course for victory.

Hoggard, 31, claimed six for 57 in the first innings, his best Yorkshire return since a seven-wicket haul against Somerset on the same ground in 2003, as the visitors were made to follow on.

Stand-in captain Anthony McGrath said: "We are still confident if we bowl like we have been doing that, with a good day, we will get the full points.

"Fingers crossed we will miss the bad weather."

Hoggard failed to add to his sextet in yesterday's final two sessions but Yorkshire are no doubt benefiting from his desire to earn an England recall.

"It is disappointing for Hoggy but we knew when he got left out in New Zealand he would want to come back and prove a point," McGrath added.

"At the moment, you can't get that ball out of his hand, which is great for us.

"He has done a fantastic job for England and, as many people have said, it was harsh for him to be left out.

"We want him back playing for England but to do that he has got to bowl like he did today - it is a two-fold thing.

"But if we do lose Hoggy, we have got the options to cover, so it's a great position to be in."

Yorkshire captain Darren Gough is hoping to return from a back injury in the Friends Provident contest against Derbyshire tomorrow, the same day South Africa pace bowler Morne Morkel, the club's overseas signing, arrives.

Elsewhere in Division One, Durham will resume their second innings on 76 for two against Surrey, a lead of 117 runs, after rain prevented any play after 2.45pm at Chester-le-Street yesterday.

Kyle Coetzer (22 not out) and Neil McKenzie (11no) will resume as the home side look to press home the advantage.

Sussex have three second-innings wickets remaining to build a sizeable lead over Kent at Hove.

The champions will resume 278 runs ahead after slumping to 179 for seven by stumps yesterday.

Luke Wright (58no) and Robin Martin-Jenkins (3no) were the men at the crease.

Lancashire and Somerset are headed for a draw after the entire day's play was rained off at Old Trafford yesterday.

The hosts were 221 for nine in their first innings, 17 runs behind.

In Division Two, Middlesex start day four 64 runs ahead of Glamorgan, having reached 56 without loss in their second innings. A draw is expected at Lord's.

The same outcome is likely at Derbyshire, who trail Essex by 31 runs with both sides still to bat their second innings.

That is also the case at New Road, where Leicestershire are 170 for seven in their first innings after Worcestershire declared on 300 for eight.

A dry day could see Northamptonshire beat Warwickshire, who are 312 runs behind after the home side reached stumps on 170 for four in their second innings.

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