Hampshire opener Michael Carberry put another dent in Lancashire's title bid as he passed 1,000 first-class runs for the season for only the second time.

Carberry hit an unbeaten 136 as Hants safely negotiated weakened Lancashire's attempt to set up a victory position.

The visitors chose to bat on before declaring on 568-8, setting the home side to the task of making 231 to make Lancashire bat again.

But, with little turn in the pitch, hands were finally shaken at 229-3.

Carberry shared in two important partnerships, 75 for the first wicket with James Adams, before an unbroken 87 with Liam Dawson. And his tally of 1105 Championship runs for the season, compiled in just 11 matches, is already his best - thanks largely to a rich vein of form that has seen him now hit four centuries in six innings.

But Lancashire, already without England pair James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff, and further deprived of Sajid Mahmood and skipper Glen Chapple, were further weakened in the outfield.

All-rounder Tom Smith went off injured with a stomach strain, and when Steven Croft and Paul Horton both got hit fielding in close positions, Lancashire even had to call on the services of their video analyst Wayne Swift to make up the numbers as 14th man.

Resuming at 487-4, Lancs lost V V S Laxman to the second ball of the day.

Francois du Plessis (86no) and Luke Sutton then added a further 81 for the sixth wicket before stand-in skipper Sutton decided that, with two sessions left, a declaration needed to be made.

Hampshire, still needing points to ensure they stay up, knew their only option was to battle for survival. But they had little difficulty in doing so once Carberry and Adams had got them off to such a sound start.

Former Lancashire skipper John Crawley, who announced his imminent retirement over the weekend, had an opportunity to go out in style but made only 12 before edging young spin bowler Stephen Parry to slip.

Gary Keedy then finally got his reward by getting James Vince caught at slip. But Carberry and Dawson made sure there were no further mishaps.

Back to news

• Share
• Email
• Print