MARK Robinson is proud of the fight Warwickshire showed to claim a dramatic draw with Hampshire on their return to County Championship action.
Sam Hain’s heroic 111 not out helped the Bears battle to a draw with Warwickshire nine wickets down in the second innings with five overs to play at Edgbaston.
And despite suffering a blow to the hand which required lengthy treatement, the Bears batter dug in although Warwickshire’s wait for a first County Championship win of the season goes on.
Robinson said: “You have a sense of relief, you’re proud of the fight when we’re nine down going into the last over.
“We’ve hung on to not lose a game but sometimes they’re the footholes you get which allow you to keep building on.
“We were disappointed with certain elements of the game but we rallied again and showed good resolve.”
Hain said: “We showed fight and effort, it’s a draw but there’s a bit of me that feels like it’s a win at the same time.
“From a personal point of view, it’s probably my proudest hundred for Warwickshire.
“I probably did not have the return I was hoping when I came back to red-ball cricket.
“I’ve got high standards and set high expectations for myself every time I go out to the crease.
“I’m pretty proud of that one.”
Warwickshire bowled Hampshire out for 298 in their first innings as Oliver Hannon-Dalby (3-35), Ed Barnard (3-61) and Craig Miles (3-71) took three wickets apiece.
The other wicket went to Chris Woakes (1-36) while Fletcha Middleton (78) top scored for the visitors.
In reply, the Bears could only score 254 all out as Jacob Bethell (69) and Dan Mousley (57) continued their fine recent form in scoring half-centuries.
Hampshire bowler and former Bear Keith Barker (6-74) starred with the ball at his old stomping ground, accounting for more than half of Warwickshire’s batting line-up.
The visitors punished Warwickshire’s bowlers in their second innings as James Vince (166 not out) and Liam Dawson (120) combined for a magnificent 255-run sixth-wicket stand.
Middleton (58) recorded another half-century while Hannon-Dalby (3-65) took three more wickets as Hampshire declared on 453-6.
Chasing a mammoth 498 runs for victory, Warwickshire found themselves in big trouble on 123-6 as Hampshire made light work of the Bears top and middle order.
However, Hain and Michael Burgess (79) came together at the crease to give Warwickshire hope of at least a draw.
Burgess eventually fell with five overs still to play as Hain and Hannon-Dalby (0 not out) saw out the remaining deliveries.
Warwickshire are next in action away at Somerset on Sunday, June 30 with the game to begin at 11am at Taunton.
