DARYL Mitchell continued his relentless domination of Hampshire’s bowling by reaching an undefeated double century at New Road.

Three of the the Worcestershire captain’s last four LV County Championship innings against Hampshire have been three big unbeaten hundreds - 172, 142 and now 206 (48 balls).

There was no mercy as he extended his team’s first innings to 478, before Hampshire closed on 86-3, still 392 behind.

Sean Terry (one) feathered the fourth ball of Hampshire’s reply from Charlie Morris to first slip, Jimmy Adams was lbw to Joe Leach for for 20 and, after being dropped by Mitchell of all people at second slip, Michael Carberry (36) was lbw to Saeed Ajmal.

“There was nothing special or mysterious about two of the [wicket-taking] balls, we just missed them,” said Hampshire coach Dale Benkenstein.

Much now rests on James Vince, who will begin day three on 29. Hampshire, for now at least, can only aim to avoid defeat after falling further behind their nearest rivals at the foot of division one.

The downgrading of Jackson Bird’s bowling figures confirmed the damage done by Mitchell’s intransigence. When the Australian fast bowler dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore on Monday, he had taken three for 16. When last man Morris was caught behind on Tuesday, Bird had 4-146.

In batting deep into the second day, Worcestershire’s last five wickets more than doubled the overnight score of 228-5.

Each of Mitchell’s partners made contributions, beginning with Ben Cox (23), who lost his middle stump to the persevering Brad Wheal.

The next threat to Hampshire was more punishing as Leach’s crunching drives brought ten fours in a stand of 123 until the all-rounder was out for 59, caught at mid-wicket in a containing spell by Danny Briggs.

The slow left-armer’s over-the-wicket probing of the leg stump area was mostly responsible for the 19 wides in the innings, but Worcestershire still pressed on at a good rate as Jack Shantry (21) and Ajmal (16) helped Mitchell beyond his seventh championship score of 150 or more.

A couple of stumpings for Adam Wheater assisted in further wickets for Briggs and Will Smith, but nothing could break Mitchell’s concentration until he passed 200 by cutting Briggs for his 25th four.

Benkenstein added: “We need to get in the position Mitchell’s put Worcestershire in.”

Hampshire bowling: Bird 35-2-146-4, Berg 24-5-58-0, Vince 4-0-15-0, Wheal 28-3-99-2, Briggs 41-10-123-3, Gatting 3-1-7-0, Smith 6-1-14-1.