Draw lifts Hampshire off the bottom

Mason Crane. Picture: Sarah Standing (160603-1203)

Hampshire were left frustrated by the weather as their County Championship clash at Warwickshire petered out into a draw.

However, the 11 points the Ageas Bowl outfit gleaned at Edgbaston saw them leapfrog Surrey at the foot of the division one table.

They will now prepare for a NatWest T20 Blast double-header – beginning with the visit of Glamorgan to the south coast tomorrow night (7pm).

Dale Benkenstein’s men will then make the short trip to Hove to face Sussex on Friday (7pm).

Hampshire are currently propping up the south group table, with their hopes of reaching a seventh consecutive finals day over.

However, the County Championship draw with the Bears has reinvigorated their fight to avoid relegation to division two in the four-day format.

It remained a frustrating end to Hampshire’s stay in Birmingham, though, after they had posted an imposing first-innings total of 531 on day two.

The loss of the whole third day to rain scuppered any realistic hopes they had of forcing victory.

Meanwhile, the pitch was so good for batting that a draw always looked the likely outcome.

And that proved the case as Sam Hain (135) and Tim Ambrose (104) cashed in for the hosts on day four.

The duo added 223 in 57 overs for the fifth wicket after former England batsman Jonathan Trott (68) fell to a brilliant leg-side stumping by Lewis McManus off Gareth Berg (two for 71).

Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane (two for 65) eventually removed the centurions but there was no more joy before the skippers shook hands.