DORSET face an uphill task to save their Unicorns Minor Counties Championship clash at Wiltshire – despite spinner Jigar Naik claiming seven wickets on the second day.
The hosts closed with a monumental 406-run lead and Dorset are likely to have to bat for the whole of the third and final day if they are to salvage a draw.
Wiltshire declared their first innings on 442 for six and Dorset were soon wobbling at 74 for four in reply with professional Naik out for a first-baller (Sam Collins 22, Luke Webb 31).
Michael Porter (32) and Alex Eckland (28) repaired some of the damage with a 50-run stand and skipper Chris Park added a quickfire 34 as Dorset clawed their way to 232, giving Wiltshire a lead of 210.
The hosts opted against enforcing the follow-on in favour of targeting swift second innings runs and Naik profited by adding seven for 46 to his three for 99 in Wiltshire's first dig.
However, opener Steve Bullen, who cracked 201 in the first innings, plundered a destructive 75 from 79 balls to set the platform for his team to thrash their way to 196 for nine declared – setting Dorset a daunting target of 407 for victory.
Dorset closed on 19 for one with opener Ed Nichols dismissed by Jake Lintott for just seven.
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