Rain comes to Hampshire's aid

Michael Brown started well on 21 not out when rain arrived © Getty Images

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Kent's attempts to force victory on the last day of their LV County Championship Division One clash at the Rose Bowl were ended by rain soon after Hampshire had been forced to follow on.

Hampshire began the final day in a precarious position at 130 for five in response to Kent's first-innings total of 431 for eight and soon lost their five remaining wickets.

The hosts were all out for 215 in the 76th over and followed on 216 behind with enough overs left in the day for Kent to claim an important victory.

But Hampshire got only as far as the 13th over and had made 33 without loss when rain came again, forcing an abandonment in mid-afternoon.

In total, 185 overs were lost during the four days of the match and the first day was washed out without a ball being bowled.

When Hampshire resumed their first innings under dark skies, their captain Dimitri Mascarenhas and Greg Lamb gave their side hope by putting on 76 for the sixth wicket with Mascarenhas particularly belligerent, striking a six and seven fours in his 45.

But after his dismissal the only resistance was offered by Chris Tremlett, who hit three sixes in a rapid 38.

Kent's bowlers were always on top with Ryan McLaren finishing as the most successful with 4-49 while Azhar Mahmood took 3-21 against some shaky Hampshire batting.

Danish-born fast bowler Amjad Khan, playing his first championship match since August 2006, completed a successful return with two wickets for 28.

When Hampshire began their second innings in worsening gloom, Michael Carberry and Michael Brown endured some uncomfortable moments before rain finally spared them.

Brown was 21 not out and Carberry had scored eight at the conclusion, with 57 overs washed from the day’s play.