Saeed Ajmal completed his first five wicket haul since returning to New Road for a third spell as Worcestershire forced Hampshire to follow on in the LV = County Championship clash at New Road.
The Pakistan spin star tore through the Hampshire middle and lower order and finished with figures of 5-28 as the visitors were bowled out for 183 – 295 in arrears.
Joe Leach (4-75) gave him excellent support with three more wickets today to take his season tally to 44.
Then in the second innings Jack Shantry took up the mantle with a trio of wickets to top the 50 mark in first class cricket this season as Hampshire reached 164-6 by the close – still needing 131 more to make Worcestershire bat again.
Admission will be free of charge on the final day of the match today (Thursday) with play due to resume at 11am.
The visitors resumed in their first innings on Wednesday morning on 86-3 and James Vince on 40 survived a confident lbw shout from Leach.
The 100 came up in the 40th over and Vince then pulled Charlie Morris for four to reach only his second half century of the campaign.
But Leach broke through when he swapped ends and bowled Vince for 56 from the Diglis End with Hampshire 118-4 in the 47th over.
Ajmal had replaced Leach at the New Road End and in the next over he held onto a return catch from wicket-keeper Adam Wheater (1).
He struck in his next over with Joe Gatting (4) caught at deep square leg after attempting a sweep.
Gareth Berg (0) shouldered arms and was bowled by Leach and at that juncture Hampshire had lost four wickets for 13 runs in the space of 25 balls.
Ajmal picked up two more wickets in successive overs with Danny Briggs (7) caught behind after pushing forward and Brad Wheal (0) falling to a fine return catch at the second attempt.
Will Smith completed his 50 off 113 balls with eight fours and a six before Leach wrapped the innings up by trapping Jackson Bird lbw for four.
Shantry took the new ball when Hampshire followed on and wicket number 50 of the campaign came when JimmyAdams fell lbw for six.
Sean Terry and Michael Carberry batted competently in a stand of 68 in 14 overs to take Hampshire to 74-1 – but then three wickets fell in as many overs.
Shantry had Terry (37) caught bat and pad by Ben Cox after the ball popped up on the legside and in the next over Vince (0) offered no shot to Ajmal and was bowled.
Then Carberry (32) went to cut Shantry and chopped onto his stumps.
Morris came back into the attack at the start of the final session and he soon accounted for Wheater who fenced at a delivery just outside the off stump and was caught by Cox at 97-5.
Brett D'Oliveira came into the attack and picked up his first wicket of the game when he pouched a return catch from Smith (29) after he had added 41 with Joe Gatting.
D'Oliveira jumped for joy after sending Worcestershire closer to victory.
