Hain’s innings brings title chase to boil

Somerset made title-chasing Warwickshire work for every run on the opening day at Edgbaston. The visitors arrived bottom of Division One and with their title ambitions long buried but bowled wholeheartedly all day as the Bears reached 283 for four. Will Rhodes (60) and Dom Sibley (56) laid a platform for a solid Warwickshire total while Sam Hain (83 not out) and Matt Lamb (44) built on it, but the Bears have work to do in the morning to take the initiative in the title race. If they reach 350 in 110 overs – for which they need another 67 in 14 overs – then go on to acquire full bowling points and win, they will be champions unless Lancashire – 25 for three overnight – total 400 and beat Hampshire at Aigburth. The whole title equation could hinge on the events of the first hour of play today.

Joe Clarke posted his first hundred of the season as title contenders Nottinghamshire recovered from 147 for five to 292 for nine against Yorkshire. The classy stroke player was dropped on 59 and 88 but made the most of his good fortune, hitting 15 fours and a six before falling for 109. Notts lost both openers in consecutive overs an hour into the day. Haseeb Hameed played loosely at a wide delivery from Matt Fisher, while Ben Slater pushed at one from all-rounder George Hill that tickled the edge. Wicketkeeper Harry Duke claimed six catches. At Bristol, where Gloucestershire edged the opening day against Durham in Division Two, play was suspended temporarily after five balls to allow the South Western air ambulance to land to help in an emergency at a nearby address. The visitors were then bundled out for 140 before the hosts closed 146 for six.