Hopkinson negates Warks' progress

Chris Nash drives Naqaash Tahir, but the Sussex opener became one of three victims for the Warwickshire bowler

Sussex and Warwickshire appear destined for a draw which will do little for either’s hopes of clawing back ground already conceded to the top teams in this year’s LV= County Championship Division One table.

Warwickshire added another 58 runs for the last wicket on the third morning to finish their first innings on 407 all out at Edgbaston.

After Sussex had then responded with 276 for four by the close - thanks to half-centuries from captain Mike Yardy (57) at the top of the order and fifth-wicket pair Carl Hopkinson (64no) and Luke Wright (59no) - the prospects of a positive outcome, without collusion tomorrow were remote.

In Division Two, Essex face an uphill struggle to save the game at Chelmsford versus Glamorgan, who bowled them out for 200 in reply to 515 for nine declared.

That came on the back of Adam Shantry’s 5-62 and James Harris’ 3-37.

Essex were soon in trouble again following on but recovered to 132 for four - still 183 behind - by stumps.

Derbyshire are in considerably better shape in a match which nonetheless appears set to end in a draw at Wantage Road tomorrow.

Replying to Northamptonshire's 433 for nine declared, they moved from 11 without loss at start of play to 371 for four - thanks principally to a fourth-wicket stand of 237 between Wavell Hinds (133no) and Daniel Redfern (95).

Hinds had hit 17 fours and five sixes from 165 balls by the close.