Bears Secure Home Advantage

Jonathan Trott hit a brisk half century as Warwickshire ensured that their quarter-final encounter will be played out at Edgbaston.

The Bears' fifth consecutive win also took them to the top of the North Group, one point ahead of Notts ahead of the final round of games.

In a game reduced to 15-over per side following a mid-afternoon downpour, the home side lost Neil Carter to the second ball of the match.

When Keith Barker fell with just seven on the board, things were looking precarious, but a steeadying partnership between Trott and captain Jim Troughton (18 from 18 balls) steadied the ship.

Troughton fell with the score on 38, but by this time Trott had found his stride and in partnership with Darren Maddy (27 from 21 balls) the experienced opener began to lift the scoring rate.

A useful cameo from Rikki Clarke (10* from 7 balls) took the score into three figures, the innings closing on 112-4 with Trott unbeaten on 53 from 38 balls.

Former Bear, Moeen Ali was the pick of the Royals bowlers with 2-18 from his three overs.

In reply, Worcestershire made a terrible start as captain Vikram Solanki fell to Neil Carter's (1-14) first ball.

Moeen Ali (23 from 16 balls) quickly took a shine to Chris Woakes (1-24) bowling, but the England Lions player made a vital breakthrough with the fifth ball of his spell, claiming the wicket of the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya who, like his skipper, could only last a solitary ball.

When Keith Barker (2-23) ended Moeen's cameo, the Royals were struggling on 34-3, but controlled efforts from Alex Kervezee (35 from 30 balls) and Daryl Mitchell (13 from 14 balls) seemed to have tipped the game in the visitor's favour.

From 72-3 in the 10th over, however, things only got worse for Steve Rhodes' side. Mitchell and Kervezee fell in quick succession to leave two new batsmen at the crease.

This enabled the bowlers to turn the screw, with Imran Tahir (1-16 from 3 overs) and Steffan Piolet (2-9 from 2 overs) particularly impressive.

After the fourth wicket partnership had been broken, only Gareth Andrew (17 from 11 balls) made double figures and the Royals could only scramble to 103 for 7.

Once again the Bears made light work of defending a modest total and they will be in confident mood ahead of their last eight showdown.