HAMPSHIRE director of cricket Giles White has backed his bowlers to keep the county in the first division.

He said: “It’s consistently spun throughout the game but we probably weren’t at our best [yesterday morning].

“We need to be better with the ball second time around to build some pressure.

“But it could be very different in the second innings - if you look at [Ryan] Pringle’s figures (3-153 and 5-64) there’s a stark difference.

“Daws and Mason are both fairly big turners of the ball and Mason has spun it big at times but it’s about consistency and building pressure.

“On those wickets and in this type of game, if you get one you might be able to get two or three in a row.”

Liam Dawson has been suffering with a damaged spinning finger but took two of the last three Durham wickets to fall.

White added: “Daws’ is struggling a little but he’s fine.

“It won’t affect him in the second innings, he’s more comfortable with it now.”

The pace and skill of Brad Wheal will also be a key factor today.

The teenager bounced out Graham Onions to end Durham’s irritable ninth-wicket stand, before finishing with 4-39.

“Brad’s been a real positive for us, he’s really taken his chance,” added White.

“He bowls with good pace and hurries a few.

“When the wicket seems benign for seam bowling he seems to make something happen and that bodes well.”

Hampshire are likely to want a lead of around 270.

White added: “Hopefully we can bat for an hour and see where we are.

“We feel if we set the right target Durham will go for it and give us opportunities to pick up wickets throughout the day.”

Durham spinner Ryan Pringle, whose second first-class five-for was also his second at The Ageas Bowl, said: “We grafted really hard batting to keep us in the game, the game was getting away from us at one point.

“It is turning quite a bit out there. It isn’t stupid spin and both teams have shown that if you knuckle down and get in.

“They have a left armer and a leg spinner so it is in their hands to them to come out and win the game for them tomorrow.

“I predict no draw, Durham to win seven down, just after lunch, so the bus journey isn’t too long!”