Honours even at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence
Thursday 18th July 2013
Kent's LV= County Championship clash with rivals Hampshire ended in a draw at Canterbury today.
After four days of slow scoring and with 23 wickets and three centuries, the sides shook hands on a draw at 4.50pm with Hampshire on 200 for four in their second innings – an overall advantage in the match of 92 runs.
Hampshire, trailing by 108 on first innings and resuming on their overnight total of 15 without loss, had little or no trouble in batting out the final day to secure their sixth draw of the campaign for a seven point return. Kent banked eight points for their seventh draw in 10 starts.
Kent knew they would need quick wickets at the start of the final day if they were to push for their second successive championship win, but went 14 overs before celebrating their first breakthrough.
With the total on 45 Jimmy Adams (12) made a late decision to shoulder arms to England off-spinner James Tredwell and departed leg before.
Former Kent opener Michael Carberry moved to his second half-century of the game by pulling a Sam Northeast long-hop for four to reach the landmark from 133 balls and with eight fours.
The left-hander perished 16 runs on however, when he edged behind to give Tredwell the second of his return of three for 87.
Liam Dawson, who also scored a first innings 50, proved rock solid second time around in scoring an unbeaten 78 off 166 balls.
He lost third-wicket partner James Vince (four) to a top-edged sweep that ballooned to Rob Key at leg slip then Sean Ervine (12) who, in attempting a back-foot force against Charlie Shreck, only picked out Darren Stevens close in at gully.
Dawson and Adam Wheater batted through the 50 minutes after tea without further alarm allowing the teams to shake hands on the stalemate.