Imran Tahir claimed a career-best 77 not out as Hampshire amassed an intimidating total of 548 - then took three late wickets to leave his side in complete control on day two of their LV County Championship match against Somerset.

Tahir was given a strong platform to let loose with the bat after a telling contribution by opener Jimmy Adams (147) and he duly responded by racing to 50 from just 43 balls with his devastating innings incorporating nine fours and two sixes.

Dominic Cork (52) also produced a maiden half-century for Hampshire before holing out in the deep and teenage debutant Danny Briggs (36) put on 80 for the last wicket in tandem with Tahir.

Nic Pothas (41) was the first to fall on his return to the side following a month-long absence with a groin injury, as he nicked a Charl Willoughby delivery to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

Centurion Adams was the next to go adding 34 runs to his overnight score before an inside edge off the bowling of Willoughby ended his epic 347-ball stay, eight overs before lunch.

Dimitri Mascarenhas (31) formed a strong seventh-wicket partnership of 85 with Cork but the Hampshire captain was trapped lbw by Peter Trego.

Cork attempted to accelerate the scoring further and took the majority of the strike away from tail-ender David Griffiths, but was caught at extra cover by Arul Suppiah going for a lofted drive.

Griffiths soon followed and as 18-year-old Briggs arrived at the crease Somerset must have thought it was job done, but, with Tahir in sparkling form, Hampshire took the score beyond the 500-mark and recorded the fifth highest total at the Rose Bowl.

Briggs lasted a frustrating 53 balls for Somerset before he was finally removed by a relieved Suppiah.

In response Somerset began with some confidence as Marcus Trescothick (36 not out) and Suppiah (35) put on 76 for the first wicket before two quick dismissals by Tahir in the 19th over put Hampshire in the box seat going into the third day.

Suppiah's leading edge as he was sweeping sent the ball to the grateful Tahir then, three balls later, the spinner removed Justin Langer for a duck courtesy of a smart catch by Cork at his feet, with the Australian storming back into the pavilion convinced the ball had not carried.

The home side inflicted further damage on the Somerset order when James Hildreth fell cheaply to Tahir, Mascarenhas taking the catch.