HOMEGROWN batter Tom Prest was jubilant after he hit a career-best 156 in Hamshire's draw against Essex.

Prest and Toby Albert (124) made sure Essex’s low chances of forcing 19 wickets, and a victory, became non-existent, with career-best scores of 124.

Prest had been set to bat at number seven before Vince suffered a niggle in the field, and due to his time off the pitch, wasn’t allowed to bat any higher.

Prest had fully announced himself, after a couple of promising T20 campaigns, with a century against Essex at the Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford towards the end of last season.

The 21 year old missed the previous three Championship fixtures with a shoulder injury, but reached his third career ton in 141 deliveries – although only after he was dropped on 92 by Simon Harmer.

Reflecting on the draw, Prest said: “Getting 14 points is pretty good. We fell just short of a batting point in the end but I think we pretty much got as much as we could out of the game.

“I think Toby, Fletcha and Gubbo set it up last night in a tricky little period. All season it has been a new ball pitch and then it goes pretty placid.

“To get through last night one down and then only lose one wicket this morning allowed us to set it up to take on that 450.

“It was quite a nice position for me to come in. The ball was a little bit older but I just wanted to bat positively and bat with good intent.

“I was down to bat at number seven. I’ve thanked him for doing his groin but it was nice to get the opportunity to bat a bit higher up the order, and luckily I could take it.

“Toby batted really well. He saw off the danger and then, as we’ve seen in T20s, he has all the shots. It was good to share that partnership with him.

“It is going to be really tough to catch Surrey now. We’ll try to do the best we can, win the last four games and put us in the best possible position.”