What unfolded was a nail-biting three days, and a one-wicket win that would propel Warwickshire to the Division One title.
Starting XI
Warwickshire welcomed Will Young back to the line-up after signing the New Zealander for the final six fixtures of the season, slotting in at number four for the injured Sam Hain.
Bears team: Rob Yates, Zen Malik, Dan Mousley, Will Young, Vansh Jani, Ed Barnard, Alex Davies, Chris Woakes, Michael Booth, Ethan Bamber, Olly Hannon-Dalby.
How things stood in Division One
Nottinghamshire sat top on 116 points, while Somerset and Warwickshire were second and third respectively on 111 points. A congested league table saw 11 points separating the top six though, with Sussex also in contention, six points behind the Bears in fifth place. A win for either side would be crucial.
First innings
Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bowl first on what would be a rain-affected opening day. When there was play, Sussex batted well and reached 90-1 before a late burst from Michael Booth paved the way for what was to come on day two. Booth took the wickets of set batsmen Tom Haines (49) and Tom Clarke (30) before play was concluded for the day with Sussex three down having just reached three figures.
The following day, Chris Woakes struck early and would end the innings with figures of 4-36 as the Bears bowling unit took advantage of good bowling conditions. Sussex were all out for 156.
In reply, Rob Yates (25), Zen Malik (14) and Dan Mousley (29), all made starts, but couldn’t capitalise against a good Sussex attack. With the Bears reduced to 81-5 and then 102-8, Booth (34 not out) and Ethan Bamber (24) scored crucial runs down the order to give the Bears a five-run lead heading into the second innings.
Sussex set the target
With Sussex looking to set the Bears a testing total, Warwickshire’s bowling attack all chipped in with crucial wickets at key times after Bamber dismissed Daniel Huges, LBW, with the first ball of the innings.
Booth (2-42) took two wickets, Bamber ended up with 3-42, and Ed Barnard two, as he picked up the key wicket of Tom Haines who looked well set on 67. Woakes (2-43) and Olly Hannon-Dalby (1-23) also contributed, with Warwickshire set 203 for victory.
Fourth innings chase
After losing three early wickets, Dan Mousley was joined at the crease by Vansh Jani, as the duo looked to take the game away from Sussex. Having come together at 42-3, the pair put on 107 for the fourth wicket, with Mousley scoring 58 from 83 balls, while Jani hit 62 from 82.
Seemingly cruising to the total, Mousley fell with the score on 149 as Sussex produced a rousing fight back.
Ed Barnard was next to go with the score on 151, and when Jani and Alex Davies were dismissed with the score on 156, the Bears were seven down, still requiring 47 for victory.
Step forward Chris Woakes. Using all of his experience, he helped guide Warwickshire home, but not without some more late drama. When Bamber was dismissed with the scores tied, the Bears were 202-9.
Amid excruciating tension Hannon-Dalby and Woakes saw off 13 dot balls before Woakes edged Unadkat for the winning boundary.
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