Somerset’s draw with Hampshire here on Saturday felt akin to defeat after they had taken a first-innings lead of 390. But they were frustrated by a doggedly good pitch, some determined Hampshire batting and a little rain on the final day of this relegation-haunted fixture, which has decided very little.
Somerset took six more bonus points than Hampshire, which means they go into the final two rounds of matches 11 points ahead of them. Somerset are away to Sussex – themselves threatened by relegation – on Monday, and then play their final home fixture against Warwickshire on 22 September.
Hampshire face Yorkshire at home on Monday, which they might consider something of a doddle after the strange events at Lord’s in recent days, followed by Nottinghamshire away the following week. But it looks likely that they will have to win one of those two remaining matches if they are to avoid the drop.
They came here having won their previous two matches, but they will be delighted to leave Taunton alive after looking second best for most of the match.
Somerset started the final day with an attacking field, with three slips and a gully. But they were only able to take one wicket in each of the three sessions, and with the Overton twins, Craig and Jamie, off the pitch for most of the afternoon, without any apparent injury, they already appeared to have their minds on Monday’s game at Hove.
Play resumed on the final day with Hampshire on 258 for one, still 132 runs behind. Somerset broke through in the sixth over of the morning, when James Vince attempted to cut Craig Overton but steered it straight to Tom Abell in the gully. Vince had faced 156 balls and hit 12 fours in his 77.
That made it 271 for two in the 96th over. But, just one run later, the players sprinted off for rain. At lunch, Hampshire were 309 for two. Adams, 117 overnight, had added just 18 runs to his score.
He managed just another single before he was caught behind, pushing forward to one that left him slightly from Peter Trego. He had faced 313 deliveries and struck 19 fours as he confirmed his return to form after a miserable season.
At tea, Hampshire were 370 for three. They lost just one more wicket, that of Will Smith. He tried to slog Tom Cooper into Taunton town centre but only made it to mid-on. The players shook hands shortly afterwards, wondering whether they would meet again next season.
