Warwickshire v Surrey: Bears held to draw at Edgbaston

County Championship title hopefuls Warwickshire were frustrated in their bid to open up some daylight at the top of the Division One table as Surrey held them to a draw at Edgbaston.

Needing to bowl out their visitors inside the final day, the Bears could only take three wickets.

Resuming on 38-0, Surrey battled through to finish on 202-3.

Zafar Ansari top scored with 83 not out, while opening partner Rory Burns and Jason Roy both weighed in with 42.

The Bears were not helped by losing 21 overs to rain - but it was the second time this season that their title hopes were blunted by a flat pitch and stubborn batting, recalling memories of Paul Horton's unbeaten century which enabled champions Lancashire to hang on through four sessions back in May.

This time it was Cambridge University student Ansari, a 20-year-old left-hander making only his sixth Championship appearance, who batted for five and half hours.

Warwickshire's title rivals Nottinghamshire were also held on home soil, by Sussex.

But Notts picked up an extra bonus point, enabling them to take over again at the top.

The two teams are level on 135 points and have both won four times, but Notts have the edge as they have not yet lost in 11 Championship matches.

The Bears have a game in hand, however, against Middlesex at Uxbridge on Wednesday - and now have a chance to open up a gap before their scheduled two meetings with Notts in the final three games of the season.