Smith spares Hants blushes

Smith takes evasive action against Drakes

County Championship Division Two, day four, Edgbaston: Warwickshire 455
Hampshire 170 & 285-7
Match drawn
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Robin Smith scored his first county championship century for three years to guide Hampshire to safety against Warwickshire.

The chunky middle-order batsman made a dogged 118 to steer his side to 285 for seven when the match was called off.

Atfer resuming the day on 114 for four Smith and John Stephenson took the visitors to 219 until Vasbert Drakes claimed Stephenson.

Needing 286 to make the hosts bat again, Hampshire were intent on saving the match and Smith's determined innings ensured the match was saved.

It was the 57th first class hundred of Smith's career but his first since August 1998 against Essex at Portsmouth.

Smith was desperately out of form heading into the match after managing just two runs in three one-day matches in South Africa.

His century came from 267 balls and brought it up with a cover drive to register his 13th four.

Smith fell on 118 when heedged a ball from Mohammed Sheikh onto his stumps, but Alex Morris and Dimitri Mascarenhas batted through the final hour.

Warwickshire took 12 points from the draw and Hampshire six.

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Warwickshire: M J Powell (Capt), N V Knight, M A Wagh, D L Hemp, D P Ostler, D R Brown, N M K Smith, V C Drakes, M A Sheikh, K J Piper (Wkt), A Richardson.

Hampshire: D A Kenway, G W White, W S Kendall, R A Smith (Capt), N C Johnson, J P Stephenson, A N Aymes (Wkt), A D Mascarenhas, A C Morris, J R C Hamblin, A D Mullally.