COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Edgbaston:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Warwickshire 370-8 (Warwicks 4pts, Lancs 2pts)
15 - 18 July 2009

Clarke drives through the off-side during his 84-ball stay at the crease

Warwickshire moved to within 30 runs of maximum batting points as rain again intervened on day three of their clash with Lancashire a Edgbaston.

The Bears added 114 to their overnight 256-4 but lost four wickets on the way to close on 370-8.

Overnight pair Jonathan Trott (79) and Tim Ambrose (28) both fell early on but Rikki Clarke got the home side back on track with 54.

But with only one day left to play, a draw appears the inevitable result.

Overnight rain resulted in a delayed start, but once play got underway Oliver Newby soon removed Ambrose, having the England man caught low down by Mark Chilton driving off his legs.

Trott soon followed when he was beaten by a Sajid Mahmood yorker after adding only 10 to his overnight 69.

But Clarke ensured Warwickshire picked up two more batting bonus points during his stay at the crease and shared in a productive partnership of 48 for the eighth wicket with Chris Woakes, who finished unbeaten on 24.

Their stand was ended when Clarke drilled a half-volley from Newby (3-62) straight to Francois du Plessis at cover point.

The rain returned shortly afterwards, with the umpires calling it a day shortly before 1700 BST.

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