County Championship: Sam Hain's 83 not out helps Warwickshire secure two batting points

Sam Hain came into the match off the back of a king pair against Yorkshire last week

Warwickshire enhanced their chances of a first County Championship title in nine years as Sam Hain's unbeaten 83 guided them to 283-4 against Somerset.

The Bears started the final round of games sitting in second, three-and-a-half points behind leaders Hampshire.

Half-centuries from Will Rhodes (60) and Dom Sibley (56) helped them recover from the early loss of Rob Yates.

Hain and Matthew Lamb (44) then added 122 for the fourth wicket to secure two batting bonus points before stumps.

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Warwickshire's chances will have been boosted by Hampshire making just 143 at Aigburth against third-placed Lancashire, who closed on 25-3.

Neither of those sides are yet to secure a batting bonus point in what looks like being a low-scoring contest whereas, after Warwickshire had seen off some new ball movement, Edgbaston appeared to be an easier wicket to bat on.

Rhodes and Sibley put on 121 for the second wicket after Yates was caught at third slip for just three.

Skipper Rhodes played a loose shot off Tom Lammonby to be caught behind before Sibley, keen to press his claims for an England Test recall, went in the same fashion to Jack Brooks to a ball that swung and bounced a touch more.

Hain and Lamb then reconsolidated for the Bears either side of tea but Lamb was dismissed six short of a half-century when he was adjudged leg before to Brooks.

Warwickshire will resume on the second day with 14 more overs left to add to their two batting bonus points and are targeting 350 for a fourth point - a feat they have managed only once this season.

Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes:

"It's all to play for in the morning. We need 67 in 14 overs which would helps us out point-wise with what's going on at Liverpool and put us in a position where everything would be in our own hands.

"It was tough going with the bat but the guys did really well to put a decent total on the board. The pitch did a little bit all day which bodes well and hopefully will remain the case over the next couple of days.

"There is probably not the pace in the pitch we might have truly wanted but hopefully a little bit of sun might quicken it up and it might dry out a little bit and help the carry."

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr:

"I was delighted with the way the bowlers performed. They bowled really well in the first session and could easily have got more rewards and then stuck to their task all day.

"Warwickshire probably have the slight edge but there could easily have been another couple of wickets to tilt it the other way.

"It is a good surface and, looking at the way pitches have played Edgbaston this season, is probably going to get better for batting."