Hull and Patel Share Six Wickets, but Hain Steers Bears Ahead

Sam Hain’s 21st first-class century kept Warwickshire’s Rothesay County Championship title quest firmly on course on the second day against Leicestershire at Edgbaston.

Hain compiled a highly-skilled 142 (301 balls) in seamer-friendly conditions as Warwickshire reached 372 to take a substantial first-innings lead of 247. He was well-supported by Ed Barnard who made 88 (155) in a partnership of 165 in 50 overs while Ajaz Patel took three for 78 and Josh Hull three for 79.
 
Leicestershire, rolled over for 125 first time round, closed on 55 for three after the buccaneering Ethan Bamber took two more wickets to build his season’s tally to 66. A draw, never mind a win, would secure Warwickshire’s ninth County Championship crown but their supporters, who have turned out in force on the first two days, will arrive for the third expecting a fourth to be unnecessary.   

Championship titles are constructed on a bedrock of solid sessions interspersed with the occasional spectacular one. The batting of Hain and Barnard on the second day was the epitome of solid. Warwickshire resumed on 130 for four, already five runs in front, and added 51 without loss in a morning session truncated by bad light. Hain and Barnard did exactly what their team required, advancing steadily to lay the platform for a big lead and potential innings victory. Hain reached his half-century from 123 balls (with just three fours). Barnard followed to his from 97.

The fifth-wicket pair continued to concentrate hard after lunch until, with the lead already 126, Barnard departed livid with himself at edging a big drive at a wide ball from Ben Green. Chris Woakes chipped his second ball, from Hull, to mid-on, but Kai Smith (18, 26) and Manny Suthar (19, 18) lodged useful cameos before also falling to the persevering Hull. He removed Smith with a nonchalant, one-handed return catch and trapped Suthar lbw.

They had accompanied the excellent Hain towards his century which was greeted by a standing ovation from the big audience. Bamber (21, 19) added further useful runs before being bowled by a beauty from Patel. Even then the frustration continued for the Foxes as last pair Hain and Olly Hannon-Dalby added 35 before the former edged Patel to slip.

Leicestershire set out needing to emulate their predecessors of 2002 when they piled up their highest score against Warwickshire – 523 (Michael Bevan 146, Darren Stevens, Ashley Giles five for 126). Sol Budinger (43 not out, 36) came out firing and scored 30 of the 39 on the board before Bamber struck twice in three balls. He trapped Sheridon Gumbs lbw and flattened Rishi Patel’s off-stump. After a bad light interruption, Woakes pinned Steve Eskinazi lbw in the gloom to leave Warwickshire one strong session away from clinching the 2026 Rothesay County Championship title.