Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell praised the efforts of his side – and in particular Joe Leach – after the drawn LV = County Championship clash with Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Leach returned career best match figures of 50-10-152-9 and bowled 27 overs on the final day as Worcestershire pushed for victory.
More than 100 overs were lost to the elements as Hampshire, who faced a first innings deficit of 181, held out on the final day to reach 235-6 before the two sides shook hands.
Mitchell said: “We thought we had a good chance of winning but we knew Hampshire batted deep with someone like Bergy (Gareth Berg) coming in at eight.
“I thought Will Smith batted very well. We couldn’t prise him out but I thought our stuck to their task well.
“Leachy was brilliant. He ran in loads today and bowled well searching for that 10th wicket he thoroughly deserved but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”
Worcestershire bowling coach Matt Mason tweeted: "Very proud at the effort of the @WorcsCCC bowling unit they threw everything they had at Hampshire and deserved more! Great effort!"
Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams admitted his side had been outplayed by Worcestershire and given a helping hand by the weather.
Adams said: “In terms of the last day we did what we needed to do but it has been a tough few days.
“Worcestershire have outplayed us from the start, they were excellent with the ball in both innings and showed us what we needed to do on our own patch.
“We didn’t bowl how we would have like and didn’t bat how we would have liked either. Worcestershire pushed for a result and the weather has helped us."
