Somerset skipper Justin Langer voiced his frustration after his side drew with Hampshire at Taunton.

The former Australia opener claimed even Muttiah Muralitharan – taker of a world record 770 Test wickets – would struggle to bowl a side out on the fourth day at the County Ground.

Somerset CCC were only able to take two of the seven wickets they needed in 75 overs of play.

Hampshire resumed on 122-3, needing 124 more runs to make Somerset bat again. They closed on 357-5 declared with John Crawley 81 not out.

"We got the Taunton curse again," said Langer. "What can I say about it? Even if you had Muttiah Muralitharan bowling on that wicket I am not sure it is going to make much difference.

"Seriously, it is slow turn and Arul Suppiah bowled very well and that was a bonus.

"We outplayed Hampshire for the entire game but we couldn't get those wickets.

"We have shown for the last three years that it is almost impossible to get wickets on the final day. It was green on the first day and we got 510."

Langer praised all of his bowlers for their persistence in the circumstances. "It was a credit to us," he said. "I can't fault our team for one bit."

Somerset's immediate title rivals – Nottinghamshire and Durham – play each other this week so Langer's men, who are now second in the Division One table, are still well placed.

They are next in Championship action against bottom club Worcestershire at New Road a week today.