Tom Prest hits career-best 156 to help Hampshire draw with Essex

Hampshire began the day on 40-1, and 398 runs in arrears, with the initial plan to avoid the follow-on, and then hunt for batting bonus points. It turned out the quest was a simple one.

The morning saw 106 runs added, with the loss of Nick Gubbins for 30 after he tamely diverted to mid-wicket following a 61-run stand with Albert.

Albert, the son of two Olympic equestrians, reached his century in 199 balls, having cranked through the gears as the day progressed, while 21-year-old Prest – dropped on 92 by Simon Harmer – brought up his third career hundred in 141 deliveries.

Albert fell when reverse-sweeping Critchley to deep point, which ended a 177-run partnership, but Ben Brown and Prest passed the follow-on target just before tea, before Prest began to eye up 450 and full batting bonus points.

He fell for 156 when he advanced and holed out to long-off, and Brown was bowled by Shane Snater for a 59-ball 54.

Critchley then picked up Liam Dawson, Kyle Abbott and Vince in the space of four balls, with Vince deciding, on his departure, to declare, reckoning 450 runs was now above them, while preventing Essex from gaining maximum bowling points.