Yorkshire’s momentum checked by rain and Hampshire

When play was able to resume following an early lunch, 24 of the day’s ration of 96 overs had been lost, and the only chance of a positive result lay in Yorkshire picking up a cluster of wickets in quick time.

It did not happen as Hampshire’s second-wicket pair of Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry dug their heels in and the visitors went on to reach 191 for two, with an overall lead of 219, before declaring to end the match.

Yorkshire’s new signing Mitchell Starc at least enjoyed a brief opportunity to get on to the field ahead of his debut tomorrow in the CB40 League encounter with Derbyshire at Headingley.

The Australian left-arm paceman came on as a substitute fielder for five minutes during the afternoon session to give him a ‘feel’ for the Test match venue.

Starc’s introduction to Yorkshire cricket has been delayed because of visa problems which resulted in him having to fly back to Australia to get his papers in order.

Since the end of Australia’s recent tour of the West Indies, Starc has had to undergo 14 long-distance flights in 12 days and he was rested from the Hampshire match in order to recover from his jet lag.

Before leaving for his first ever visit to England, Starc’s mother revealed to him that his great grandfather had been born in Yorkshire, so helping him to feel that some of his roots were in the White Rose county.

“I am looking to learn a lot from playing over here,” said Starc. “The Yorkshire lads seem a great bunch of guys and very welcoming and I am looking forward to getting on with some cricket tomorrow.

“Hopefully, I can take a few wickets for the side and contribute to a few wins and so achieve the ultimate goal of getting the club back into the First Division of the County Championship.

“With back-to-back Ashes series coming up next year, I thought the chance of coming to play some longer form of matches with Yorkshire rather than just Twenty20 would be better for my development. I pulled out of the IPL auction a couple of days before it happened and the opportunity to link up with Jason Gillespie and Phil Jaques was the best thing for me.”

Hampshire were 21 for one and leading by 49 when the final day got underway but progress was slow for Adams and Carberry against tight bowling from Ryan Sidebottom and Steven Patterson, the pick of Yorkshire’s bowlers in this match.

Carberry went 35 minutes before adding to his overnight single but the nearest Yorkshire got to taking a wicket in the hour-long morning session came when Adil Rashid had him playing gently on to his off-stump, without sufficient force to dislodge a bail.

Carberry had to have treatment on his left hand after receiving a painful blow from Patterson from a ball which reared sharply but the batsmen had little else to worry about until into the afternoon when Adams edged Iain Wardlaw to Gerard Brophy and departed for 49 off 82 deliveries with nine fours.

Simon Katich, who made 196 in the first innings, was again in outstanding form and despite having been given 23 overs’ start by Carberry he completed his 50 just before tea while his partner was on 36.

Carberry went on to drive Rashid for a straight six to go to his half-century off 151 balls with six fours and a six and when the stumps were pulled up both batsmen were on 61, their third wicket stand being worth 103.

It was an another unhappy day for Rashid who could only manage one wicket at a cost of 82 runs from his 16 overs.