Warwickshire v Northants: Sam Hain hits double hundred for Bears

Hain is congratulated by Jonathan Trott on becoming English county cricket's youngest double centurion

Sam Hain became the youngest player to hit a County Championship double century for Warwickshire as the hosts homed in on victory over Northants.

Resuming on 413-3, with their partnership already worth 271, Hain and Jonathan Trott (164) put on a further 89 in their fourth-wicket stand of 360.

Hain, aged 19 years 57 days, made 208 as the Bears declared on 573-9.

Chris Woakes and Jeetan Patel then each took two wickets as Northants, set for their 11th defeat, closed on 149-5.

Woakes showed the sort of qualities that have earned him his first England central contact, trapping Northants skipper Stephen Peters, before a fast delivery sent Kyle Coetzer's off-stump cart-wheeling.

Northants will resume on the final day on Friday morning still needing a further 151 runs to make the home side bat again.

With Adam Rossington gone for 44, the visitors' hopes are in the hands of two men at opposite ends of English professional cricket's age scale, 37-year spinner James Middlebrook (18 not out) and 19-year-old wicketkeeper Ben Duckett (14 not out).

Middlebrook had earlier been rewarded for his considerable efforts by taking a very respectable 5-124 from his 47 overs.

Although Yorkshire's likely victory over Nottinghamshire should wrap up the title for the Tykes on Friday, One-Day Cup finalists Warwickshire still have a major financial incentive to finish second.

If they pip Notts to finish runners-up, the players will pick up £162,000 in prize money, with a further £52,000 going to the county.

BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire's Clive Eakin:

"Warwickshire would like to have won this game inside three days but with plenty of time ahead of their Lords final they won't be too worried about wrapping up victory.

"Northants have shown commendable professionalism in sticking to their task in a seemingly hopeless cause.

"Jeetan Patel has looked threatening and with the new ball available later if necessary a win should be little more than a formality for the home side.

"A win would leave the Bears favourites to finish second in the table, a fine achievement in an excellent season for them."