Yates denied his maiden century

At the Ageas Bowl Warwickshire (198-3) trail Hampshire (539) by 341 runs Teenager Rob Yates fell nine runs short of his maiden first-class century as Warwickshire battled hard to eat into Hampshire’s huge first-innings total.

Top-order batsman Yates, who signed his first professional deal only last December, showed maturity which belied his age to guide his side towards the followon target.

The 19-year-old academy graduate played his part in a crucial 142-run stand for the third wicket with fellow talented youngster Sam Hain, who collected his second County Championship halfcentury of the season.

Earlier, Olly Stone had marked his return from almost seven months on the sidelines with a bone stress injury in his lower back as he completed a five-wicket haul. Stone, who had taken three wickets on his first day of action of the season, helped wrap up the Hampshire tail in 20 overs in the morning.

In response, Warwickshire started poorly, with the Division One’s highest run-maker, Dom Sibley, tamely chipping Kyle Abbott to cover for 16. That left them on 39 for two, 350 runs short of avoiding the follow-on, but Hain and Yates stepped up to steady the ship.

Yates batted patiently to reach a half-century in 144 balls, beating his previous best score of 49, and appeared on course for three figures. But he meekly fell for 91 when he struck parttime spinner Felix Organ to short midwicket. Warwickshire eventually reached 198 for three at stumps – still 191 adrift of the follow-on and trailing by 341.