Warwickshire leads Somerset by 128 races heading into day three at Edgbaston; The Bears will become county champions for the first time since 2012 if they win; fellow title contenders Lancashire and Hampshire square off on a day out and back in Liverpool
Danny Briggs’ racing and terrain have given Warwickshire the lead in the county championship title race
Danny Briggs starred with bat and ball for Warwickshire against Somerset to ensure he had a slight lead in the LV = Insurance County Championship title race.
With grounds falling between the other Lancashire and Hampshire Division One contenders in Liverpool, the events at Edgbaston provided another change in who has the initiative for a fascinating four-way battle.
Warwickshire started the second day knowing that hitting 350 in 110 overs was crucial and Briggs’ 53-for-31 hitting ensured they did it before claiming two wickets to cut the visitors to 239-5 at the end, a 128-run deficit. .
Half a century after Tom Lammonby (59) and Azhar Ali (60) provided resistance for Somerset, but the locals know the equation is simple: win and they will be county champions for the first time since 2012.
Another day back and forth occurred in Aigburth, where James Vince’s 69 seemed to have Hampshire over before Lancashire he counterattacked admirably at the end of the final session.
Pakistani international Mohammad Abbas rushed to the hosts in Liverpool to fire them for 141, a deficit of just two, to ensure another twist in the title race had occurred.
Failing to claim any hitting points, Lancashire got off to a great start on the field with Tom Bailey reducing Hampshire to 24-4, but Vince responded only to have Matt Parkinson put him in front after an 80-run partnership with Liam. Dawson.
It was a forceful blow and even more would come with Bailey able to throw Dawson to complete his five before the close and leave the visiting side at 158-7, a 160 lead, in a delicately balanced game that can see both. Disappointed teams come to their conclusion.
Elsewhere, Nottinghamshire took control of his clash with Yorkshire But the lack of hitting points means they won’t be involved in the title drama in the final two days of the regular season.
After being fired for 296, Luke Fletcher and Joey Evison combined for seven wickets to fire next to Ben Coad for 78 at Trent Bridge.
The continuation was enforced and Yorkshire did better with Adam Lyth undefeated at 74, but they are still behind by 54 at the end with just seven wickets in hand.
