Sajid Mahmood passed 500 runs in this season’s County Championship campaign yesterday to help put Lancashire on course for a three-day victory against Hampshire at Liverpool.

The 28-year-old ex-Astley Bridge and Egerton man has now more than doubled his previous best tally in a season, and his 58-ball innings of 47 helped the hosts to a commanding first innings total of 398 in reply to Hampshire’s 160.

Mahmood shared an eighth-wicket stand of 89 inside 15 overs with Kyle Hogg and hit six fours and a huge six over long on off the bowling of Chris Wood.

Resuming on 124-2 yesterday morning, Lancashire only scored 40 runs for the loss of three wickets in the morning session.

But Hogg, who took four wickets on day one, top scored for the hosts with a brilliant and belligerent 81 off 111 balls, including eleven fours and one six.

Hampshire openers Michael Carberry and Jimmy Adams reached 15-0 from seven overs of their second innings at close.

Hogg also played his part in partnerships of 30 for the ninth wicket with Glen Chapple – he batted with a runner due to an ankle injury – and 54 inside 12 overs for the 10th with Gary Keedy (12 not out). Meanwhile, former England batsman Owais Shah has declared his interest in a move to Lancashire after being released by Middlesex.