WORCESTERSHIRE'S batting crumbled as Hampshire closed in on victory in the Specsavers County Championship Division One relegation battle.

The County's former bowler Kyle Abbott claimed a hat-trick with 24 wickets falling on the second day at Blackfinch New Road.

The hosts were set a 248 target on a bowler-friendly wicket and collapsed to 120-8 in their second innings.

Abbott had Joe Clarke (33) caught behind, bowled night-watchman Josh Tongue (0) and trapped Ed Barnard (0) lbw to complete his treble in figures of 10-1-35-5.

The bowling of Abbot, Dale Steyn and Fidel Edwards led to the County’s downfall.

They face a virtually impossible task to avoid a second successive setback after losing at Lancashire last week.

Only one half-century has been scored so far by Hampshire wicketkeeper Tom Alsop in his side’s second innings.

Worcestershire resumed on 68-4 in their first innings and were bowled out for 120 in just 16.2 more overs.

Ben Cox (6) was caught behind, skipper Brett D’Oliveira (15) edged to third slip and Barnard (0) fell victim to a fine low catch.

Ross Whiteley and Wayne Parnell (21 not out) added 30 for the eighth wicket.

But Whiteley (14), Tongue (4) and Dillon Pennington (1) fell with Steyn taking 3-25.

Tongue struck in successive overs of the reply as debutant Oliver Soames (0) was bowled and Joe Weatherley (3) held by Tom Fell at third slip.

It became 25-4 with James Vince (9) nicking Barnard to second slip and Jimmy Adams (13) bowled by Pennington in successive overs.

But Alsop, Sam Northeast (12) and Dawson steadied the ship.

Parnell struck in successive overs with Dawson (39) caught at second slip and Alsop (64) yorked to the final ball before tea.

He also accounted for Steyn (4) to finish with 4-23 on his home Championship debut while Tongue took 4-38.

Wickets continued to tumble with Steyn and Abbott ripping out the County top order.

Daryl Mitchell departed to a first-ball duck caught at first slip and fellow opener Fell (2) was bowled by Steyn.

Alex Milton (7) departed in the same fashion and it became 27-4 when D’Oliveira (2) was also bowled by Abbott.

Cox (4) perished to a low catch before Abbott took centre stage with his late hat-trick.

Whiteley (37 not out) and Parnell (17no) added an unbroken 48 before light intervened.