Hampshire hold out for crucial draw

Sean Ervine's 67 helped Hampshire avoid following on and earn a potentially vital draw against champions Durham today

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Hampshire batsmen Nic Pothas and Sean Ervine prevented LV= County Championship champions Durham making the most of an outside chance of recording their ninth win of a glorious season.

Hampshire went into the final day needing another 22 runs to avoid the follow-on at a precarious 267 for six - but the experienced Pothas and Ervine made sure there were no further alarms at the Rose Bowl.

The seventh-wicket pair put on 78 and there was nothing even England's Steve Harmison could do to prevent the match petering out into a draw in the middle of the afternoon when bad light intruded.

Pothas and Ervine saw Hampshire past the follow-on target of 289 and through the morning session without being parted.

Ervine raced to his half-century off only 56 balls as Hampshire took control on an easy-paced wicket which again offered little help to the bowlers.

There was little in the match for Durham once the draw became inevitable but for relegation-threatened Hampshire batting bonus points were at stake.

Durham captain Will Smith persisted with spinners Ian Blackwell and debutant Scott Borthwick.

Blackwell broke through for the first time for Durham at 345 when Pothas was bowled for a patient 78, which included 11 fours and came off 213 balls.

Hampshire lost their last three wickets at the same score, 384, attempting to gain the 16 runs they needed for another priceless point.

Dominic Cork gave Harmison his first wicket of the innings to finish with 1-78, caught at the wicket flailing away in search of his fifth boundary.

Blackwell wrapped up the innings when he had Ervine caught behind for 67 and then removed last man Danny Briggs to a catch in the slips.

Ervine struck 10 fours and a six in his 67 while Blackwell was rewarded with 5-110 from almost 40 overs.

Borthwick got through 27 overs for a final analysis of 3-95 and Durham began their second innings with a lead of 55 in a match going nowhere.

They had added a further eight to their lead from 23 balls when bad light intruded again and the match was called off.

Durham picked up 11 points in maintaining their unbeaten record with one round of matches remaining, while Hampshire will be happy with the draw and 10 points towards their quest for safety.