Hants and Sussex play out meaningless draw

Hampshire and Sussex fought out a tame and meaningless last day in front of a small crowd at the Rose Bowl, the grandeur of the new ground contrasting with the lack of a contest on the pitch.

Hampshire, 108 behind overnight at 392 for eight, continued for another hour before they were all out for 437, a first innings deficit of 63.

James Kirtley climed the last two wickets, having Shaun Udal caught at backward point for 39 and then bowling Alex Morris for a career-best 65. Udal and Morris put on 95 for the fifth wicket.

Faced with only a small lead, Sussex had little option but to bat through what remained of the day and this they did until Chris Adams brought a merciful end by declaring at the first available opportunity at 5.20pm.

Alan Mullally rested a groin strain and did not take the field and the only incident of note came early in the Sussex second innings when Murray Goodwin was forced to retire after being struck on the hand by a rising delivery from Dimitri Mascarenhas.

The score was then 17 and by the time Sussex declared, Richard Montgomerie and Michael Yardy had taken the score to 179 without being parted.

Hampshire used only occasional bowlers including Will Kendall for 14 overs and even wicket-keeper Adrian Aymes had his bowling chance. Montgomerie made 88 and Yardy a personal-best 75 but their inningss will have given them little satisfaction. Each hit seven fours.