Heavy rain forced the abandonment of Hampshire's County Championship Division Two match with Leicestershire as a draw.

Umpires David Mills and Jeff Evans waited until 1pm before deciding that the pools of water on the sodden outfield at the Rose Bowl would have made play impossible.

The match was the last in the country to be called off on Sunday.

Hampshire had been reluctant at first to accept the draw because there had been forecast a window of sunshine later in the afternoon.

However, Mills and Evans had little option but to admit there was no chance of play once they made their last inspection.

Rain had already cut heavily into the first two days and allowed only 10 overs on the third.

At the abandonment Hampshire were 217 for four from 55 overs with Michael Carberry 84 not out in response to Leicestershire's first innings total of 234.

Hampshire, relegated from Division One last season, collected four bonus points from the match and Leicestershire went home with two.