Middlesex and Hampshire settle for draw despite scares

Middlesex had to settle for their third draw in a row after any hopes of securing a win were dashed by a century stand midway through the final day.

Hampshire’s Jimmy Adams made 70 but when he fell, the home side were 186-5 – only 161 ahead with 60 overs left.

But Adam Wheater (57 not out) and Ryan McLaren (46 not out) took the sting out of the match, with Middlesex unable to take on a target of 266 in 31 overs.

Hampshire resumed the final day with a lead of 26 knowing they needed to bat out the majority of the day to make sure Middlesex did not sneak a win.

Adams and skipper James Vince (38) started solidly enough, adding 81 for the second wicket

Will Smith (14) provided little assistance, though, as he was adjudged lbw to Tim Murtagh (pictured).

Adams proved a valuable anchor, reaching a half-century off 140 balls, before loosely swinging at a ball outside the off-stump to first slip – a rare mistake in a mostly flawless knock.

Alarm bells rang two overs later when Liam Dawson, on 19, was comprehensively bowled by a Steven Finn delivery which kept very low.

But a 104-run stand between Wheater and McLaren eased the game back to its natural conclusion of a draw.

There was still time for nerves for Middlesex as Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins both fell cheaply, to leave them effectively 19-3 with skipper Adam Voges absent.

But Dawid Malan and Nick Compton saw Middlesex through, with the captains shaking hands at 5pm.