Rob Yates ensured that all of Warwickshire's top-three averaged over 100 after the first three Vitality County Championship fixtures. However, his unbeaten 84 was unable to prevent an inevitable draw with Hampshire.
Yates, opening partner Alex Davies and No.3 Will Rhodes are three of the top four run scorers in Division One so far this season with averages of 123, 120, and 116. All three players attempted to increase the run rate in an effort to secure a result at the Utilita Bowl. The rain ultimately prevailed, resulting in a draw.
Warwickshire gained 13 points, while Hampshire earned 10. Neither team has yet won or lost a game after three rounds. The visitors commenced the day with a 136-run lead, but adopted a positive approach to winning the match, despite the challenging circumstances.
Davies was dropped at gully after adding one to his overnight score, and only added a single before advancing to Mohammad Abbas and skewing to short third to end a 56-run opening stand. He has now scored 481 runs this season and is currently the leading run-scorer.
Yates was responsible for maintaining the scoreboard, while the other end demonstrated a high level of aggression, with Rhodes, Ed Barnard and Dan Mousley not requiring an invitation to attack. While boundaries remained challenging to consistently score, Warwickshire demonstrated particular excellence in their running between the wickets, which consistently added runs at over four runs per over.
Rhodes has scored 348 runs in the Championship, but his 25 off 39 was ended when he was leg-before to a delivery which turned from Liam Dawson. The degree of spin would have excited Warwickshire, and their spinners Danny Briggs and Yates, as they started to plot the perfect time to pull out and put some pressure on the hosts.
The partnership between Yates and Rhodes contributed 46 runs. Yates continued with Barnard, maintaining a similar approach, resulting in a 54-run stand. Yates reached his half-century in 84 balls with a skilful cut to the boundary.
Barnard was dismissed for 18 runs in 17 balls after he mistimed a delivery from Dawson, with the left-arm spinner also being bowled out. Mousley was dismissed after a quick-fire 14, following a drizzle that had fallen throughout the morning. The play was stopped at 2 p.m. due to the weather.
Hampshire was ultimately eliminated from the competition, with Yates remaining unbeaten after his third 50-plus score of the season.