No fairytale finale as Jimmy Adams plays last Hampshire innings

The left-hander, who announced his retirement earlier this month, was dismissed for 13 in the second innings of the County Championship division one clash with Lancashire on Tuesday.

He signed off with 14,145 first-class runs and was given a guard of honour by his team-mates as he left the Ageas Bowl wicket.

Hampshire closed day two just 92 runs in front of their visitors with two second-innings wickets remaining.

Adams, 38, said: '˜It would have been lovely to have made a score of note and contribute to us winning a game.

'˜But in a way it was a relief to get off the mark in the first place. I didn't want to finish with a pair.

'˜You hope of a nice fairytale like Cookie (Alastair Cook). You can't write it and you can't always get what you want.

'˜It was great that everyone here was nice. You never know what you are going to get.

'˜I don't think I have been clapped to the wicket since I was about 10, so it was very good of Lancashire to do that. It was unexpected but a nice touch.

'˜And it was nice to have my old man at the top of the stairs, that was where I had a wobbly bottom lip.

'˜It will probably sink in in November when the rest of the guys are thinking about fitness tests. I'll probably just grab a coffee and watch on the balcony!'

Adams, who has hit 25 first-class tons and 73 half-centuries, faced 30 balls for his 13, which involved a rare seven.

He added: '˜I might go down in history as the only man whose last scoring shot was a seven!

'˜I don't remember ever seeing a seven before. It went to my normal scoring area of third man but hopefully it will be recorded as a stunning straight drive!'

Lancashire had earlier been bowled out for 273 '“ falling 27 runs short of the 300 they needed to keep their slim hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

Fidel Edwards returned figures of four for 72 to take his tally to 52 wickets in County Championship division one this season.

Lewis McManus (30 not out) and Kyle Abbott (21 not out) will resume on Wednesday morning with Hampshire 178 for eight .

Adams said: '˜I think there is still enough in the wicket. We are going to need a few more, maybe a lead of 150.

'˜Kyle has been in good form and Lewis has battled hard. If those guys can put on 50 then great but it will be a tough ask.

'˜It could be an interesting game but we shall see where it goes.'

Click here for the report from the second day of the clash with Lancashire at the Ageas Bowl. Full scorecard here.