Carberry Fifty Seals Draw On Day Four

Michael Carberry (59) scored a composed fifty on day four against Durham, as Hampshire secured a draw in their rain affected match in the Specsavers County Championship, leading by 225 runs at the close of play at Emirates Riverside.

Carberry hit fifty off 97 balls and Jimmy Adams patiently added 49 off 171 balls to an impressive 86-run knock in the first innings, as Hampshire extended their lead from 60 runs to 225 on day four, which was brought to a premature end by rain at tea.

Hampshire spent the opening two days on top against Durham, but rain and a fine century from Durham's in-form batsman Keaton Jennings effectively prevented the visitors from heading back to the The Ageas Bowl with their first away victory of the season.

With a wise head and a wealth of four-day experience, Hants opener Adams set about closing out a draw with Durham by batting selectively on day four, picking his shots carefully and climbing to within one of fifty in a patient display, before Carberry finished the job.

Beginning with captain Will Smith (11), Adams hit 49 runs alongside Tom Alsop (34) and then Carberry to take Hants to 149-2, before being caught by Durham's star player, Keaton Jennings - Coughlin took the wicket.

Having been agonisingly dismissed on 48 in the first innings - in which Hampshire set a 472-run target - Carberry reached his fifty off 97 balls, pushing six fours to the boundary along the way.

Sean Ervine joined Adam Wheater in the middle for a brief period before tea, but he was prevented from adding to his first innings tally of 93 runs when rain arrived, as the players prepared to return from the break.

After a discussion between the umpires and the groundstaff at Chester-le-Street, the match was ended as a draw, and both sides take 12 points in the Specsavers County Championship.

Rain and resilient batting from Jennings denied Hampshire their first away victory in the Championship this year, as Durham remain unbeaten in the competition.