PRO40 DIVISION ONE, Northampton:
Match Tied. Northants 212-6 Warwickshire 212-9 (Northants 1pt, Warwicks 1pt)

Warwickshire wasted a golden chance to improve their Pro40 Division Two title chances as they failed to get a run off the last two balls to beat Northants.

Instead, the Bears, still unbeaten in four Pro40 games thanks to a win and two wash-outs, had to settle for the competition's first tie of the summer.

Earlier, Andrew Hall hit an unbeaten 104 out of Northants' 212-6.

But, having looked in control in reply on 159-3, Ian Bell's crucial demise for 65 saw the Bears slump to 212-9.

And it was Hall, who had earlier starred with the bat, who also became the hero with the ball right at the death.

When Rikki Clarke hit two boundaries from the penultimate over, that left the visitors needing just eight to win from the final over.

Clarke then survived a third-umpire let-off when Monty Panesar claimed a catch at mid-on, before youngster Steffan Piolet looked to have won it when he hit the fourth ball for four.

The visitors now needed just one to win off Hall's last two deliveries. But the South African has a reputation for keeping his nerve, most notably when he bowled a match-winning double-wicket maiden for Worcestershire to beat Lancashire in the 2003 C and G Trophy semi-final.

And he once again showed he was up to the challenge, bowling a dot ball before helping to run out Piolet from the final ball.

Warwickshire still have a game in hand on leaders Kent, who they trail by four points.

But, once they have hosted Derbyshire in their final home game at Edgbaston next Sunday (6 September, 1345 BST), they are then on the road, their final three fixtures being at Canterbury, The Oval and Old Trafford.

Northants are also on five points, a place below Warwickshire, but have crucially played a game more - and look out of contention.

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