WARWICKSHIRE SKITTLE LEICESTERSHIRE FOR 125 AT EDGBASTON

Warwickshire dismissed Leicestershire for 125 on the first day of their Rothesay County Championship Division One match at Edgbaston, moving further ahead in their pursuit of a ninth title. Leicestershire chose to bat first in search of batting points to aid their bid to avoid relegation, but the innings collapsed against an attack led by Ethan Bamber, who took four wickets for 42 runs, and Chris Woakes, who took three for 20. Ben Cox top-scored with 33, with Sol Budinger the only other batter to pass 20, making 27. Warwickshire's reply reached 130 for four by the close, with Sam Hain unbeaten on 37 and closing in on 1,000 first-class runs for the season. Warwickshire lead by five runs, having taken three points to Leicestershire's one.

Warwickshire struck twice in the first two overs, with Sheridon Gumbs bowled by Bamber and Rishi Patel given out leg before to Woakes, before Steve Eskinazi was caught at point off Woakes to leave Leicestershire 15 for three. The visitors were further weakened by the absence of overseas player Nick Kelly, who had returned home injured, and wicketkeeper Hamza Shaikh, who was unable to play against Warwickshire, the club from which he remains on loan. Jonny Tattersall and Budinger fell to successive deliveries, with Tattersall dismissed by Olly Hannon-Dalby, his 370th first-class wicket for Warwickshire, before Budinger edged captain Ed Barnard to second slip. Cox and Leicestershire captain Ian Holland resisted either side of lunch, but Bamber returned to have Holland caught at third slip and Ben Green caught at first slip. Woakes then bowled Cox with an outswinger, before Ajaz Patel dragged on to Bamber and Josh Hull was dismissed by a return catch.

The result effectively confirms Leicestershire's relegation from Division One, subject to an appeal the county has lodged against a 27-point penalty. Warwickshire's bowlers have now dismissed the opposition for under 200 in seven of their nine Championship innings this season. In their reply, Warwickshire lost opener Rob Yates early when he played on to a delivery from Holland, before Hain anchored the innings through to the close. The match continues at Edgbaston, with Warwickshire holding a five-run lead overnight in their bid for a ninth County Championship title.