Rain saves Warwickshire against Worcestershire

Day4
Warwickshire batted out the required overs to gain a draw against Worcestershire before the rain closed in at Edgbaston. Frost and Botha were impressive when they came together and between them saved the match when they were the only batsmen left capable of doing so. That they did shows some encouraging signs that some progress has been made over the summer. Last year the team would have been all out before the first drinks break. Praise should also go to nightwatchman Daggett for resisting for the best part of an hour. Poonia, Powell and Parker will probably feel disappointed that there were half-centuries and aclaim on offer here for the taking and none were able to cash in to the extent they might have wanted.

Although Worcestershire will feel hard done by, their fast bowlers didn't do themselves any favours. Kabir Ali stood out for me as someone who was dropping far too short, I felt that Solanki could have taken out some run saving fielders and got the bowlers to pitch it up a little more and encourage the batsmen to drive. In many overs from the city end Frost and Botha were only asked to play at 2 or 3 deliveries, which when you are pushing for victory is not nearly good enough.

Day3
Warwickshire 26-3 at the close, needing to bat tomorrow for 96 overs (minus any rain) to save the game, or to get 456 runs to win. Westwood, Maddy and Trott the batsmen out.

Day2
Worcestershire tightened their grip on the game in the evening session, after dismissing Warwickshire for a decidedly under-par 215. Daggett stuck around for a few overs this morning before being dismissed. Trott and Poonia put together a brisk stand for the 5th wicket, and then Parker and Frost provided support for Trott once Poonia was out. However Warwickshire really needed a big partnership to take the game by the scruff of the neck. They lost their last 4 wickets for only 11 runs, in marked contrast to the performance of the Worcestershire tail the day before.

After Carter removed Mitchell for 5 in the 4th over it seemed as if Warwickshire were in with a chance of bowling Worcestershire out cheaply again, but Solanki and Moore came together and steadied the innings with a partnership of 141. Although Botha struck just before stumps to remove Moore, Worcestershire are 184 in the lead with wickets and time in hand.

DAY 1
Mixed day for Warwickshire. Moore was the only batsman who propered for Worcester, carrying his bat for 109 and holding the tail together with a couple of valuable partnerships for the 7th and 8th wickets.

Worcestershire were all out for 249 around 5.30, leaving Warwickshire 13 tricky overs to negotiate. Westwood fell in the first over, leaving Kabir Ali's first two balls outside the off-stump, before being trapped lbw by a full delivery swinging back into him. I didn't have the best position being down at a narrowish long leg, but the reactions indicated it may have been sliding past off-stump. Maddy and Powell recovered well, Powell striking the ball sweetly; one on-drive off Magoffin was particularly sublime, Powell holding a flourishing pose in his follow through.

Simon Jones was shuffling in off 11 paces and bowling in the 70's Mph if I'm any judge. He still managed to induce Maddy to fence at a short ball and had him caught at the wicket. Just before the end Powell was bowled to probably leave Worcestershire the happier team overnight. I think he was bowled off the back or handle of his bat shouldering arms to a shorter delivery from Magoffin, but I'm not sure.