Robin Smith century denies Warwickshire victory

Robin Smith came out on top by leading Hampshire to a draw in a deeply entrenched struggle for different milestones at Edgbaston.

The former England batsman held out for six hours in all to compile his first Championship century since August 1998, and kept Warwickshire waiting for their first home Championship win since September 1999.

Ultimately the loss of 60 overs on Sunday was too much for Warwickshire to make up as Hampshire closed with the scores level at 285 for 7 after surviving for almost four hours on the last day without losing a wicket.

Resuming 171 behind at 114 for 4, they were within ten minutes of tea before Vasbert Drakes took the new ball to break up Smith's partnership of 106 in 66 overs with former captain John Stephenson.

The old hands kept their side afloat with barely a hint of error and Warwickshire`s frustrations pile up until Stephenson, who hit only three fours from 209 deliveries, edged behind the wicket in Drakes' first over with the new ball.

Smith's vigil came to an end at 247 for 6 when played on to Mohammad Sheikh after collecting 16 fours and a six from 307 balls, and at the same total, wicketkeeper Keith Piper's seventh catch of the match dismissed Adrian Aymes.

This was a well-deserved success for Alan Richardson in his efforts to get something out of a dead pitch, but Hampshire maintained their Smith-inspired resolve when Dimitri Mascarenhas and Alex Morris diligently put on 38 in a tense last hour.

So Warwickshire's new captain, Michael Powell, was denied a winning start after dictating terms for most of the match.