DURHAM took a big stride towards victory on the final morning at the Ageas Bowl when they set Hampshire a target of 305 and Chris Rushworth struck with the first ball.

That completed a hat-trick over three overs for him after taking the final two in the first innings with the last ball of one over and first of the next.

It is only the third hat-trick for Durham in first-class cricket, with Steve Harmison taking the previous two.

Hampshire, who had a minimum of 72 overs to score the runs, were 24 for one at lunch with the biggest worry for Durham being the threat of rain in late afternoon.

In a match in which runs were scored at no more than three an over during the first three days Durham's positive approach this morning saw them add 129 in 22 overs.

Hampshire opened up with spinners Mason Crane and Liam Dawson but both bowled at least one bad ball an over as 40 runs came off the first seven.

Mark Stoneman, on 39 overnight, reached 50 off 78 balls then hit a straight six off Dawson, who was replaced by Jackson Bird.

Scott Borthwick was bowled by a ball from Crane which kept low for 39 and Durham signalled their intent by sending in John Hastings.

It didn't work as he made seven off 11 balls before skying a catch to mid-wicket off Crane, who then saw the last two balls of his over hit for four by Paul Collingwood.

The Durham captain dominated a stand of 52 in 7.5 overs with Stoneman, who was bowled for 88 trying to sweep Crane.

The 18-year-old leg-spinner had taken all the wickets when Collingwood, unbeaten on 29, declared on 190 for four.