Adams' Ton in Vain as Hants' Promotion Push Ends

Report from day four of Hampshire's LV= County Championship match against Essex at The Ageas Bowl.

Hampshire v Essex
LV= County Championship
Day Four: Friday 7 September
The Ageas Bowl

Summary: Essex beat Hampshire by 122 runs
Essex: 180 & 475
Hampshire: 229 & 302
Scorecard
Concurrent Table

Hampshire Team
Adams*, Carberry, Shafayat, Katich, Dawson, Vince, Ervine, Bates+, Balcombe, Tomlinson, Griffiths
Essex Team
Westley, Mickleburgh, Shah, Pettini, ten Doeschate, Foster, Wheater, Napier, Topley, Chmabers, Craddock

Against Northamptonshire, his century guided Hampshire over the line; against Kent two weeks earlier a knock of 85 not out earned them a draw against the odds; but an unbeaten century for skipper Jimmy Adams (139*) wasn’t enough to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat here as Essex completed a 122 run LV= County Championship victory at The Ageas Bowl.

It’s a result that all but mathematically ends Hampshire’s promotion push – a First Class campaign which, in a season that has seen them reach two limited-overs Finals (winning one already), is simply remarkable given the amount and the quality of the cricket they’ve played this season.

Set a chase of 427 on day three, it always looked a difficult one, especially having started day four on 73-3. But a partnership of 160 between Adams and Liam Dawson (90) gave the home support hope, the latter leaving the field shortly before lunch with his side a much more respectable 183-4 and, by now, needing a more manageable 242.

But a flurry of wickets shortly after the return quickly quelled any fledgling optimism as the hosts lost five wickets for 32 runs, leaving number 11 batsman, David Griffiths with the impossible task of sticking around with Adams long enough to chalk up 185 runs inside a minimum of 52 overs.

To his credit, Griffiths (21) put in a herculean effort, registering a 50 partnership with his captain which even included a number of beautifully swept fours to the ropes before perishing, bowled middle stump by Reece Topley (3-95).

Going into next week’s final match of the season away to leaders Derbyshire, the four bonus points earned by Hampshire here mean they are 24 points (the maximum for a win) behind second-placed Yorkshire, with Kent also 19 points better off.

Therefore, in all likelihood, Adams’ side will play for pride only next week before turning their attentions to the season’s climax – a Clydesdale Bank 40 Final against the Warwickshire Bears at Lord’s a week on Saturday.

 

Catch Up:

Preview:	Adams Wants Good Start in Final Home Championship Fixture
Day One:	50-Wicket Balcombe Helps Hants on their Way
Day Two:	Plenty of Runs in the Sun but Not Much Fun for Hampshire
Day Three:	Hampshire Need Spirit of Northants to Gain Victory

Words: Simon Vincent
Images: NJM Photography

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