Cricket

Warwickshire's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Vitality County Championship were dealt a blow as they trailed Nottinghamshire by 344 runs at the end of the third day at Trent Bridge.Nottinghamshire declared their first innings on 487, with Kyle Verreynne scoring an unbeaten 148 and Ben Duckett making 130. Warwickshire, needing 338 to avoid the follow-on, were bowled out for 143, with Sam Hain top-scoring with 59.Nottinghamshire resumed on 324 for 6 and quickly added runs, with Verreynne reaching his century off just 167 balls. Warwickshire finally broke through when Rob Lord was LBW for 31, but Nottinghamshire continued to score freely, with Brett Hutton and Farhan Ahmed adding valuable runs.Warwickshire's reply got off to a poor start, with Rob Yates and Alex Davies both dismissed cheaply. Will Rhodes and Hain steadied the ship, but Ahmed removed both left-handers in quick succession to leave Warwickshire struggling on 105 for 4.With only 155 overs remaining in the match, Warwickshire will need to bat aggressively on the fourth day to avoid defeat. However, the pitch is beginning to take spin, and Nottinghamshire will be confident of bowling them out again.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks secured their first Vitality Blast quarter-final berth in four years with a thrilling 11-run victory over Birmingham Bears. Saif Zaib's blistering 86 off 41 balls propelled the Steelbacks to a formidable 197 for 6.Zaib's innings, which included eight fours and six sixes, was the cornerstone of Northamptonshire's total. He shared a crucial 72-run partnership with Ravi Bopara (19) to set the platform for a strong finish.Birmingham's run chase got off to a disastrous start as Steelbacks skipper David Willey struck twice in the opening over, dismissing Moeen Ali and Chris Benjamin. The Bears were reeling at 11 for 3, but Sam Hain's magnificent 93 off 60 balls kept them in the hunt.Hain shared a 92-run partnership with Jacob Bethell (50 off 31 balls) to revive Birmingham's hopes. However, Willey's 2-34 and some tight bowling from the Steelbacks bowlers ultimately proved too much for the visitors.Despite the defeat, Birmingham had already secured their place in the quarter-finals. Northamptonshire's victory, on the other hand, was a testament to their resilience and the match-winning brilliance of Zaib.

Birmingham Bears continued their impressive run in the Vitality Blast, securing a thrilling four-run victory over Yorkshire Vikings at Headingley. Sam Hain's blistering 98 off 48 balls propelled the Bears to a formidable 214 for 7, setting the stage for a high-scoring encounter.Hain's innings was a masterclass in power hitting, with eight towering sixes that propelled the Bears to a commanding total. Yorkshire's chase got off to a promising start, with Dawid Malan and Donovan Ferreira contributing half-centuries. However, the Bears' bowlers, led by George Garton, held their nerve in the closing stages to secure the victory.The Bears' innings was kickstarted by a brisk 43 from captain Alex Davies, who later left the field with a finger injury. Hain took center stage, smashing three leg-side sixes to reach his fifty off just 34 balls. He continued his onslaught, looking poised for a second T20 century before being dismissed on 98.Yorkshire's chase began with a setback as Dan Moriarty bowled Ed Barnard with the first ball. However, Malan and James Wharton steadied the innings with a 62-run partnership. Malan reached his fifty off 38 balls, while Ferreira's explosive 66 off 32 balls kept Yorkshire in the hunt.With 18 runs required off the last two overs, Ferreira's dismissal proved crucial. Garton then defended 11 off the last over, including six off the final ball, to seal the victory for the Bears.Hain's fourth fifty of the tournament propelled him to the top of the Blast runs chart, while Garton's heroics in the final over showcased the Bears' resilience. The victory marked Birmingham's fifth consecutive win, solidifying their position in the quarter-final race.

Warwickshire's resolute batting display denied Hampshire a third consecutive victory in the Vitality Championship, as the match at Edgbaston ended in a tense draw. Chasing a daunting target of 498, Warwickshire resumed on the final morning on 40 for one and batted out the day for 321 for nine.The key to Warwickshire's resistance was a seventh-wicket partnership of 183 between Sam Hain (111 not out) and Michael Burgess (79). They came together with their side in deep trouble at 123 for six but batted with patience and technique to consume 55 overs and steer the match towards a draw.Hain, who reached his 18th first-class century, and Burgess, who passed 4,000 first-class runs, batted with determination and skill, frustrating Hampshire's bowlers. They weathered the storm in the morning session, which saw Warwickshire lose three wickets, and then consolidated their position in the afternoon.Hampshire pressed hard in the closing overs, but Warwickshire's resolve held firm. James Fuller rattled Chris Woakes' off stump and Craig Miles' off stump, but Olly Hannon-Dalby (0 not out) stood firm alongside Hain to see out the remaining overs and secure the draw.For Warwickshire, the draw was a welcome result after a difficult start to the season. They remain winless in Division One, but their fourth-day resolve showed that they have the character to compete. For Hampshire, it was a missed opportunity to extend their winning streak, but they can take solace in the fact that they largely outbowled their opponents.

Birmingham Bears emerged victorious in their local derby against Worcestershire Rapids, securing a five-wicket triumph at 'Visit Worcestershire New Road.' The Bears' victory propelled them to the summit of the Northern Group in the Vitality Blast, while Worcestershire's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals dwindled.Sam Hain and Jacob Bethell played pivotal roles in Birmingham's success. Hain struck a fluent 76, while Bethell remained unbeaten on 71, guiding the Bears to their fourth consecutive win. Their 148-run partnership for the fourth wicket set a new record against Worcestershire in the competition.Worcestershire's batting display was disjointed, with several players contributing to their own dismissals. The Bears' spinners, Danny Briggs, Jake Lintott, and Dan Mousley, kept a tight grip on proceedings, restricting the Rapids to 155 for 7.Adam Hose led the Rapids' batting, but his former club proved too strong. Kashif Ali returned for Worcestershire after a break, while Michael Booth replaced Richard Gleeson in the Bears' lineup.Birmingham captain Alex Davies elected to field first on a new hybrid pitch. Kashif struck a six off Michael Booth but perished attempting to repeat the shot. Ed Pollock attacked George Garton, hitting a six and two boundaries, but Jake Lintott dismissed Josh Cobb with a superb catch.Gareth Roderick hit Bethell for a six but was bowled by Briggs. Briggs also dismissed Hose, while Ethan Brookes fell to Bethell. Nathan Smith's attempted big hit was caught at long-off by Lintott. Rob Jones and Tom Taylor provided some late impetus for Worcestershire.Worcestershire needed early wickets, and Smith delivered, dismissing Ed Barnard and Dan Mousley in the opening over. Hayden Walsh held onto a low chance to remove Alex Davies, leaving the Bears at 7 for 3.However, Hain and Bethell launched a recovery, rebuilding and then accelerating. Bethell brought up his fifty in 37 balls, hitting three sixes. Hain and Chris Benjamin were dismissed by Tom Taylor, but the Bears sealed victory with 2.1 overs to spare.