HAMPSHIRE coach Adi Birrell insists his batters need to be "ruthless" when getting in and pointed out Lancashire's Keaton Jennings as the "difference" between the sides.

Hampshire's meeting with Lancashire ended in a draw after the Utilita Bowl side were able to reach 179/4 on the final day to see out the game.

Nick Gubbins hit 69 not out on day four, with captain James Vince and Tom Prest also offering stubborn resistance.

Lancashire picked up 13 points during the rain-affected game while Hampshire earned 12 points.

Speaking after the game, Birrell was pleased with elements of the performance, in particular the way they dealt with Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

He said: "We will take the draw from the pickle we got ourselves in. We got into a bit of pressure with Nathan Lyon, who is an international bowler of class.

"We had to face him down today, not on a spinning wicket but just enduring his pressure. I think we did it well.

“It was a bit nervy but I think Gubbins did really well. There were no dramas there and he batted the whole day.

“It was good for us because we got something out of the game, the bowlers got good overs under their belts and most of our batters got good starts. I feel confident going into the next game."

Hampshire host Warwickshire in their next County Championship fixture beginning on Friday, April 19.

Birrell believes hitting big runs is key going forward and he hopes his side can improve on that later this week.

He continued: “We have spoken after the game about getting ruthless when you do get in and make it count. Hopefully, we will put that right going forward.

"We got some good starts but no one really went big and they had Jennings who got 170 – that was the difference."

After the first two games of the season, Hampshire are in eighth place on 20 points following the rain-affected start to the campaign.

Essex are the only side to win in Division One so far this season and they lead the way at the top of the table on 35 points.