THE race for the LV=County Championship became tighter still after Warwickshire and Lancashire edged closer to the top following productive days.
With leaders Durham idle the focus of the penultimate round has been on Warwickshire and Lancashire as they aim to move ahead of them in the table. Warwickshire crept to within four points of their northern rivals after they piled on the runs on the second day of their match with reigning champions Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston.
Centuries from Ian Westwood (171), Jim Troughton (151) and Rikki Clarke (126) allowed the Bears to declare on 574 for seven – although that only earned them three batting bonus points after their slow initial progress. Nottinghamshire were 86 for one in reply with opener Alex Hales unbeaten on 51.
Lancashire are just a point further back after Hampshire finished 229 for five in reply to their 388 at Liverpool.
The Red Rose county fell just 12 runs short of all five batting bonus points, with Glen Chapple also agonisingly short of a milestone of his own when he departed for 97.
Such small margins could prove vital in such a tight title battle, although Lancashire’s spinners then set up the possibility of a crucial victory when they made inroads in the evening session.
After a 103-run stand between Hampshire openers Jimmy Adams (54) and Liam Dawson (54), spin duo Gary Keedy and Simon Kerrigan got to work as they shared the five wickets to fall.
At the other end of the table, Sussex moved a step closer to survival thanks to another spinner, Monty Panesar, against Worcestershire at New Road.
Victory will ensure either side of their place in the top division and after Sussex were bowled out for 375, Panesar (four for 48) helped reduce the hosts to 199 for seven.
Rain again undermined relegation-threatened Yorkshire’s efforts in their must-win encounter with Somerset at Headingley.
No play was possible before lunch although when the players did appear four wickets from Ryan Sidebottom helped bowl out Somerset for 265. The White Rose county, who must win to stay up, were then 20 for none at stumps and at least with hope of a result at the halfway stage. (PA Sport)
