Cricket: Hampshire play safe

Robin Smith and Will Kendall hit half-centuries to secure a hard- earned draw for Hampshire against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

Hampshire never threatened to reach their victory target of 415 after resuming on 21 for one, but comfortably reached safety at 304 for 6 before Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire captain, called a halt with three overs remaining.

Middlesex had to fight for a draw against Worcestershire after pushing for victory for much of the day at Lord's.

Needing 251 to win off 49 overs, Middlesex got off to a flying start. Once Mike Gatting was out first ball, wickets fell steadily as Middlesex tried to keep up with the run rate. They eventually reached 242 for 9 with James Hewitt and Phil Tufnell the not-out batsmen.