County Championship: Durham and Hampshire forced to settle for draw
Last updated on .From the section Counties
| Specsavers County Championship Division One, Emirates Riverside |
| Hampshire 472-9 dec & 174-4: Carberry 59, Adams 49 |
| Durham 421-9 dec: Jennings 129, Burnham 74, Stokes 51; McLaren 3-78 |
| Durham 12 pts, Hampshire 12 pts - Match drawn |
| Scorecard |
Durham and Hampshire played out a predictable draw as rain forced an early conclusion at the Riverside.
Only four wickets fell on the final day as Hampshire progressed to 174-4 in their second innings by tea.
Michael Carberry struck eight boundaries in his 59 as Durham struggled without the services of injured opening bowler Chris Rushworth.
No play was possible after tea and the draw leaves Hampshire six points adrift at the bottom of Division One.
A sixth draw for Durham maintains their unbeaten record this season, but with only two wins at the halfway stage of the competition.
Their bowlers shared out the wickets on the final day as Carberry and Jimmy Adams (49) staved off any fears of a Hampshire collapse with a third-wicket partnership of 79.
Meanwhile, Hampshire fast bowler Tino Best has been issued with three penalty points for a Level Two breach of the ECB Discipline Code.
Best was reported following Hampshire's T20 Blast South Group defeat at Essex on 24 June for throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner.
Durham coach Jon Lewis told BBC Newcastle:
"Today was some competitive stuff from ball one. Ultimately, Hampshire didn't really feel they could bowl us out and they chose to get through the day without any damage.
"Anything could've happened this morning and plenty could've unfolded.
"Just because the first three days unfolded pretty slowly, it didn't mean today would be the same. As it turned out, neither of us could force a result, but it was still pretty good cricket I thought."
Hampshire acting captain Will Smith told BBC Radio Solent:
"It could've been a tricky last day. Midway through day three we could've got into a real ascendant position.
"But, sadly losing Ryan McLaren through injury and a bit of good batting from Barry McCarthy for them put us on the back foot.
"We battled hard to make sure we got something out of the game and the positives are we did that and there was no real sense of danger today.
"Although it was a wicket where there had been lots of runs scored, there were some good balls in and around there."