Hampshire's Fuller: 'There was still a sniff for us at the end - what a great game'

HAMPSHIRE bowler James Fuller labelled the draw with Warwickshire a "great game of cricket" despite falling just one wicket short of the win.

Warwickshire batted out the final day for 321 for nine thanks to a seventh-wicket partnership of 183 between Sam Hain (111 not out) and Michael Burgess (79).

Hampshire were in the driving seat with the hosts 123 for six but they consumed 55 overs to steer the match towards a draw.

Speaking after the match, Fuller said: "We got so close - as close as it gets really.

"Fair play to Hain and Burgess, they batted so well for 300 balls and that session got really hard as the ball got old and the sun was bearing down. It was quality batting from those two.

"We never gave up and kept coming in hard but they repelled us for so long. Then there was still a sniff for us at the end - what a great game of cricket."

He added: "With ten overs to go you just sort of empty the tank as a bowler and that's what I was feeling. I was in great rhythm and with everyone encouraging me that gives you so much energy. It's the last rip of the day and you give it everything you've got.

"We were ahead of the game but, as we saw with (Liam) Daws and (James) Vince, if two guys get together in their own bubble they can make it very hard for the bowlers. Hain and Burgess did that, they were in it for the long haul and credit to them."

Warwickshire coach Mark Robinson added: "There is some relief to have come out of the game with a draw.

"We probably feel we deserved a draw but, at times during the game, we have been a bit careless. We probably shouldn't have been in that position.

"Batting on the last day is never easy and Hainy showed great concentration and that partnership with Burgess, from six wickets down after lunch, got us close to safe with 12 overs to do but we all know in this game, there is often a late twist.

"You've got to give credit to Hampshire, they kept running in and Fuller's spell at the end was aggressive and hostile on a relatively docile wicket. It was a very nerve-racking finish.

"Our effort when we didn't get our rewards was brilliant in terms of application in the field and all the things that you want a Warwickshire team to do and it is those standards and that togetherness that enables you to pull off the sort of fightback we showed, not in a perfect way, but good enough to earn an honourable draw."