On This Day: Ryan McLaren Takes Five In Rain-Affected Draw

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

Ryan McLaren (5-104) - Hampshire v Somerset, County Championship: 27th June 2016

The 2016 Championship season was often a struggle for Hampshire and this meeting with Somerset, who lost the title only on the last afternoon, was no exception.

On the first day Hampshire won the toss, chose to bat and at 118-1 and 166-2 looked well placed with Adams contributing 61. But when Alsop (37) left on 166-3 a collapse ensued; 184-4 soon became 195-9 and down the order, only all-rounder Ryan McLaren with 24* took them to a batting point.

But 219 was never enough; Trescothick and former Hampshire batsman Johannes Myburgh took them to 66-1 overnight and on day two, Myburgh’s century and 152 from Hildreth helped Somerset to 474-8 declared, a lead of 255.

Only McLaren with five wickets (5-104 – his best for Hampshire) and most dot balls delivered was able to keep any kind of control on proceedings.

Hampshire immediately lost Adams without scoring and at 18-1 overnight faced defeat.

On a truncated day three, Alsop (53) led Hampshire to 173-4 but they were still 82 runs in arrears before the rain came to their aid, washed out day four completely and gave them five points for the draw.

McLaren ended his brief 20 match first-class career for Hampshire just short of 1,000 runs at 47.23 plus 43 wickets at 38.79.