Winless Hampshire frustrate leaders

Hampshire 413 (Smith 93, Carberry 67, Dexter 5-64) and 185-5 dec (Carberry 57) drew with Middlesex 362 (Compton 117, Roland-Jones 61, Edwards 4-100)
Scorecard

Hampshire are still without a victory, and now they find themselves bottom of Division One - albeit by a whisker - after five matches. But Jimmy Adams and his team can take a fair amount of hope, if not as many points as they would have liked, from this draw against the leaders.

Anxious followers, already worrying about an instant return to the second tier, will know that nearly a third of the season has already gone in terms of championship fixtures played. This, though, was probably the county's most encouraging performance to date.

Although Hampshire would have batted first, the fact remains they were put in when the pitch was at its greenest and went on to make more than 400 against a potent-looking attack with four members of their top eight reaching 50.

Then, but for a trademark century from Nick Compton, they would have had Middlesex in follow-on territory with James Tomlinson, Gareth Berg and Sean Ervine combining impressively well.

In the end, Compton blunted their ambition before a bright and breezy 61 from No 10 Toby Roland-Jones meant that, realistically, only two results were possible this morning - with a draw the odds on favourite and an away win the long shot.

A clatter of Hampshire wickets would have brought the final day to life but, while Middlesex bowled a lot better on a pitch now offering some uneven bounce, Hampshire never looked like making life difficult for themselves. Michael Carberry collected his second half-century of the contest - pulling James Harris for a six in the process - before James Vince had a useful if ultimately unfulfilling afternoon net .

Vince has struggled to make headway in the championship so far this season but will surely come good sooner rather than later. His latest innings was not without one particular moment of concern with repairs needed to his helmet after he was hit by a short ball from James Franklin but the response - a four through extra cover followed by a beautifully timed straight drive - confirmed that all was still in good working order.

A nice little not out would have done Vince. Instead, he edged spinner Ollie Rayner to slip shortly before hands were shaken on a draw and has now batted nine times without reaching 40. Still. at least he didn't get out to a part-timer - like a crestfallen Adam Wheater, who fell to Sam Robson in the final over.

Middlesex know only too well that what happens in the first month or so is not necessarily a reliable indicator as to how the whole season will pan out. Top in early June last year, they ended up in a desperate fight against relegation that was only won on the final day.

They were certainly not at their best in this game, with either bat or ball. But they leave here without any real damage done and boosted by the fact that Compton has the first of what should be a good number of centuries under his belt following his return 'home' from Somerset.

Of their bowlers, Steve Finn is still looking for a big bag of wickets. He appears to be bowling well enough, though, for that to change before too long. And if it does - and England do not come calling - then Middlesex may be able to maintain an interest in the top of the table into, and perhaps beyond, high summer.