County Championship: Hampshire-Lancashire game ends in rain-hit draw

Rain had the final word on the last day at Southampton

Rain thwarted Hampshire and Lancashire's attempts to play out a potentially classic County Championship final day.

The first three days had set up the tantalising prospect of Lancashire needing 342 more runs and Hampshire requiring 10 wickets.

But light rain swept over the Ageas Bowl throughout the morning and afternoon.

Even with the prospect of a result evaporating, Hampshire were still keen to get onto the field to enhance their over rate - which sat at -1.

But conditions never improved and umpires Rob White and Nick Cook finally confirmed the draw to the backdrop of both sets of players kicking footballs around.

Both sides earned 12 points each - but Hampshire were docked one for a slow over-rate.

The result maintains Lancashire's unbeaten run in first-class cricket away to Hampshire stretching back 33 years.

Hampshire captain James Vince:

"We didn't anticipate not bowling a ball. I hadn't even checked the forecast. It hadn't crossed my mind. It's annoying because it has hardly rained.

"It is frustrating because we worked hard to get into a position on day four to go and win but it isn't something we can control.

"We saw in the six overs on Saturday night there was still some encouragement with the new ball and Dawson and Organ would have played a part as well.

"They would have had the pressure of being 340 behind and I felt there was more in this wicket than at Canterbury last week to take the 10 wickets. I would have liked to think we would have got over the line."

Lancashire captain Dane Vilas:

"It is a bit disappointing as we were shaping up for a great game, but a draw against a good side like this is okay, especially looking at the season ahead.

"It was two really good bowling attacks. If you look at the pitch you know it is going to be really difficult against them, and I'm sure they'd say the same about us.

"We have achieved everything we wanted to and more. Two good hard-fought wins and then to come here and get a result is quite nice."

Report supplied by the ECB Reporters' Network.