Adams frustrates Durham

Hampshire 294 (McKenzie 75, Stokes 6-68) and 345 for 5 (Adams 105, Blackwell 2-50) drew with Durham 473 (Benkenstein 118, Briggs 5-129) and 310 for 3 dec. (Stokes 135*)
Scorecard

Opening batsman Jimmy Adams scored a century to lead Hampshire's resistance at the Rose Bowl as Durham had to be content with a draw despite dominating the first three days. Hampshire, chasing a nominal 490 to win, reached 345 for 5 before Durham ran out of time in their pursuit of a morale-boosting first win of the season.

Durham captain Phil Mustard was hampered by the loss through injury of former England pace bowler Steve Harmison, who bowled only three overs in the Hampshire second innings and not at all on a blustery last day. Harmison damaged his forearm while batting on the first day and Durham's attack was visibly weaker for his absence.

Hampshire began the final day at 87 without loss and batted through to stumps, losing only five batsmen as Mustard attempted to make the best of his bowling attack. Opening pair Adams and Liam Dawson put on 171 for the first wicket on an easy-paced surface as Durham toiled for their first breakthrough.

That came two balls after lunch when Dawson, who had made 70 to add to the 50 he compiled in the first innings, turned legspinner Scott Borthwick to short leg where substitute fielder Joe Coyne held the catch. Dawson hit seven fours and a six off Borthwick in his 149-ball innings and played a major part in helping Hampshire towards safety.

Adams stayed until the score was 242 before being dismissed soon after completing the 12th first-class century of his career. He was caught at fine leg by Liam Plunkett attempting to sweep Borthwick to finally fall for 105 in an innings which included 19 fours and came off 248 balls.

Durham struck again next ball when Adams' partner in a third-wicket stand of 71, newcomer Johann Myburgh was caught at slip by Michael Di Venuto off spin bowler Ian Blackwell for 42. James Vince was the fourth to go at 288 to a brilliant catch in the covers by Ben Stokes, giving Blackwell his second wicket and there was a glimmer of hope for Durham when a fifth Hampshire wicket went down at 312.

South African Neil McKenzie guided Plunkett to wicketkeeper Mustard down the leg side, giving Durham another 12 overs to run through the Hampshire tail. But sixth-wicket pair Nic Pothas and Sean Ervine held firm until the close, reaching stumps 145 adrift but having extended their second-innings rearguard to a full day's play and 20 overs of day four.

Durham, for whom Stokes was a dominant force over the first three days, had to be content with 11 points and Hampshire with eight.