Failure to dislodge tail-enders proves costly for Hampshire

Hampshire's inability to remove tail end batsmen surfaced for a second time in the space of a fortnight as Yorkshire batted for two sessions on the fourth day to prevent any other result but a tame draw.

Steadfastly defying any attempts to make a positive result possible, Yorkshire, the reigning County Champions who have lost all three of their previous Frizzell Division One games this season, settled for a morale-boosting draw.

The only day of the four to start on time saw Richard Dawson and Chris Silverwood lose their wickets to Shaun Udal to send the hosts to 275-8 and some way adrift of Hampshire's first innings total of 354.

But, with veteran wicket-keeper/batsman Richard Blakey still in and playing a controlled innings, he was joined by Steve Kirby in a tenth wicket stand of 91 to frustrate the visitors and gain an unlikely first innings lead for their side.

Blakey (83), who smashed Udal straight over his head for six, fell when he edged Chris Tremlett to Neil Johnson in the sole slip.

Hampshire were left to rue Nic Pothas' drop off Neil Johnson when Kirby was on only 3 as the England Academy quickie surpassed his miserly previous highest score of 15* to record a maiden first-class half century.

He found an allay in Matthew Hoggard with whom he added a further 57 for the tenth wicket, with the fiery redhead smiting two huge sixes over the members pavilion before he became Dimi Mascarenhas' fifth scalp for a fine 57, leaving Hoggard on 21.

Mascarenhas closed with 5-87 from one ball short of 30 overs, his best figures of the season so far in Yorkshire' 423 all out, their surprisingly highest score against Hampshire at Headingley in the 148-match history.

It left Hampshire 18 overs to bat out with the draw declared at 5.30pm. Will Kendall was trapped leg before in the only blemish of the Hampshire second innings, as Derek Kenway (30) and John Crawley (19) ensured no further loss at 62-1.

Crawley now departs for Edgbaston to join the England party while the rest of the squad take the long journey on Tuesday to deepest Kent for the first round of the C&G Trophy against Kent Cricket Board at Folkestone.