Hampshire v Kent: Jimmy Adams helps his men avoid defeat

County Championship Division Two, Southampton

Hampshire 292 & 186-9 drew with Kent 467

Kent 10pts, Hampshire 7pts

Match scorecard

Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams batted throughout much of the day to help his side escape defeat against Division Two promotion rivals Kent at Southampton.

Adams hit 85 not out, sharing an unbroken 10th-wicket stand of 42 with last man Danny Briggs (20 not out), who helped him see out the final 20 overs.

After starting the final day on 438-8, Kent added a further 29 before being bowled out for 467, a lead of 175.

But the obdurate Adams helped to see his side to safety on 186-9.

Sean Ervine (31) and Liam Dawson (28) were the only two other Hampshire batsmen to reach double figures.

England reserve off-spinner James Tredwell sent down 33 overs, finishing with 3-62.

The hosts, needing 175 to make Kent bat a second time, looked to be facing defeat at 144-9, but Briggs helped Adams hold out against a ring of close fielders, being given the benefit of some incerasingly desperate LBW appeals.

Kent, who remain fourth, had to be satisfied with 10 points from the draw.

Hampshire, who are now just two points ahead of Kent in third, escaped with seven, only the weather, which washed out 62 overs on day three, saving them from a heavy loss.