Dominant Nottinghmamshire left frustrated by the weather against Warwickshire

Warwickshire had been dismissed for 260 in their first innings, with Keith Barker scoring 71. Jake Ball, with three for 35, was the stand out bowler for the home side, with Brett Hutton picking up three for 73.

Second time around, Warwickshire had reached 42 without loss when the first band of rain drove the players off the field for an early tea but there was no improvement and a total of 43 overs were lost.

Laurie Evans had begun the day unbeaten on 39 and was clearly key to any possible rearguard action from his side. He added two singles then appeared fortunate to survive a very confident lbw shout against him.

Undeterred, bowler Jake Ball wasted little time in making amends as Evans got an inside edge back onto his own stumps.

Rikki Clarke fell for just five, to a pre-determined plan. Brendan Taylor was brought into a catching position at short midwicket and the Bears’ all-rounder obliged by chipping Brett Hutton straight to him.

Hutton then struck for the second time, courtesy of a full-length dive by wicketkeeper Chris Read which dismissed Tim Ambrose for 46. The Warwickshire batsman had battled away for two and a half hours, having taken 40 deliveries to get off the mark on the second day.

Jeetan Patel edged Gurney to third slip, to depart for just 12 to leave the scoreboard on 171 for eight but some lusty blows from Barker, plus some fine counter-attacking from Chris Wright and Boyd Rankin produced two batting points for their side.

Barker reached his 50 soon after lunch, getting there from only 53 deliveries, with seven fours and a pulled six from the bowling of Hutton.

He hit a further maximum, lifting Samit Patel over the ropes at long off, before reverse sweeping the next delivery straight into the waiting hands of Steven Mullaney.

Wright made 22 and with Boyd Rankin, who hit two fours and a six in his 14 not out, added 24 for the final wicket, before Hutton had Wright taken in the slips to bring the innings to a close.

William Porterfield and Ian Westwood made steady progress in the 12 overs that were possible before the conditions worsened, with Warwickshire ending the day still 298 runs behind.