Somerset's Winless Streak Continues in Rain-Affected Match at Hampshire

In a rain-affected draw at Utilita Bowl, Somerset’s winless start to the season continued as Hampshire extended their unbeaten streak.

Sean Dickson and Tom Abell’s resilient batting, along with the weather, thwarted any chance of a decisive result as a total of 175 overs, or approximately five sessions, were lost in the match. Dickson remained unbeaten on 77, while Abell contributed 27 runs, forming a crucial 56-run partnership that helped Somerset avoid a potential loss.

Hampshire’s Ben Brown led his side to secure 13 points from the match, compared to Somerset’s 11. This result displayed Hampshire’s strong performance with a total of 43 points from their first three rounds, keeping them in close competition with the Division One leaders. The match could have been saved by an exceptional morning of bowling or the forecasted rain blowing in a different direction. However, neither scenario unfolded, largely due to Dickson and Abell’s determined batting efforts.

Despite an early wicket on the final day, Hampshire’s bowlers, including Kyle Abbott, Brad Wheal, James Fuller, Liam Dawson, and Brett Hampton, were unable to dislodge the resilient pair. The play was interrupted several times due to rain, with only a brief interval post-tea allowing a few overs before bad light once again suspended play.

With two sessions lost on the first day and early finishes on subsequent days due to bad light, the match ended in a draw at 17:00 BST. Somerset now faces concerns over their over rate and potential points deduction.

Somerset’s Winless Streak Continues in Rain-Affected Match at Hampshire