As Surrey were bowled out for 207 – 12 runs behind their hosts – left-arm spinner Dawson took 5-44 to make this his best summer as a bowler.

Jordan Clark smashed 50 not out before Sai Sudharsan completed 73 – but that was 93 runs short of the 300-run mark required for two batting bonus points.

In spite of Surrey’s failure to reach 300, Essex are stuttering on 125-4 against Northamptonshire and, if they do not reach 400 and claim four batting points, Surrey will automatically win.

In response to Hampshire’s 219, Ryan Patel hoisted to deep midwicket off Dawson to end his involvement in the match. Jamie Smith, back from England duty, will now take his place.

Foakes never looked comfortable before being lbw going back to Dawson, but Sudharsan, who scored 96 in the IPL final earlier this year, accumulated runs at a workmanlike pace.

After being joined by Will Jacks, who was also back from England duty to replace Tuesday’s five-wicket hero Lawes, he reached his maiden Championship fifty in exactly 100 balls.

As Sudharsan gloved Dawson to short leg, Jacks was lbw to James Fuller in the next over, Cam Steel was lbw to Holland, and Jamie Overton was bowled by Holland in the next over.

He put in 32 with Kemar Roach before the West Indian was caught at first slip with the second new ball and Dan Worrall was bowled by Dawson – his 17th wicket of the month. Clark scored a 75-ball half-century, his 21st in first-class cricket.

A bad light prevented Hampshire from playing any further, despite 18 overs remaining. Only 20 balls were bowled and only one run was scored.