COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Rose Bowl:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Warwickshire 383-7 (Warwicks 4pts, Hants 2pts)
21 - 24 July 2009

Trott celebrates reaching his century at the Rose Bowl

Jonathan Trott led the Warwickshire fightback to upstage England hopeful Ian Bell on day two of their clash with Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

Resuming from their overnight 30-0, the Bears were deep in trouble at 90-5, with Bell (7) one of three victims for James Tomlinson (3-76).

But Trott shared century partnerships with Ant Botha (40) and Chris Woakes (77no) on his way to an unbeaten 140.

They helped Warwickshire end the day in the driving seat, closing on 383-7.

By then the eighth-wicket partnership between Trott and Woakes was worth 121, with the Bears just 17 runs away from recording maximum batting bonus points.

That seemed a long way off after a difficult morning for the visitors in bowler-friendly conditions.

Tomlinson soon accounted for captain Ian Westwood and fellow opener Tony Frost, before claiming the wicket of Bell to prevent him from posting another big score to remind the England selectors of his abilities on the day Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series.

Bell scratched around for 27 balls before finally departing, edging the left-armer to wicketkeeper Tom Burrows, who held a two-handed catch in front of first slip.

Jim Troughton and Tim Ambrose did not last long either as Warwickshire were left in the mire.

But Trott and Rikki Clarke (46) started the recovery with a stand of 66, before Botha offered further support.

When he was out the Bears were 262-7, but Trott and Woakes rode their luck to still be there at the close, with their side in a much more favourable position.

Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles on Ian Bell:

"Ian has been in top form for us this season and has been averaging about 80 in the County Championship, and I would be disappointed if he was not ready to play against the Australians.

"But nothing has been decided about who replaces KP and will not be until the selectors meet soon.

"But Ian has been fantastic for us and he will be one of the names we consider, obviously."

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