Day three live blog: Warwickshire secure ninth County Championship title

Keep up to date with day three from Edgbaston Stadium, as Warwickshire take on Leicestershire in the final fixture of the 2026 Rothesay County Championship.

2026-09-26T10:22+01:00

What an incredible day to conclude an outstanding season for Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Signing of as County Champions!

Head Coach, Ian Westwood, has been speaking after lifting the trophy. He's now been directly involved in four championship winning teams. Twice as a player, once as an Assistant Coach and now as Head Coach.

Hear from Warwickshire County Cricket Club captain, Ed Barnard, after he became the eighth player in Bears history to lead his side to the Division One title.

If you missed it, watch the highlights from the day Warwickshire won the County Championship, with Ethan Bamber taking the final wicket.

What a day for Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Rothesay County Championship Division One Champions.

Leicestershire 125 & 168 | Warwickshire 372

DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONS! Warwickshire have done it.

Amazing scenes on the outfield as Ethan Bamber takes the final wicket! It had to be him! What a season he's had.

A ninth County Championship title for the Bears and a first in five years. We'll have more reaction to come...

2:03PM

Leicestershire 125 & 167-9 | Warwickshire 372

The afternoon session is about to get under way, with Warwickshire requiring just one wicket to win the County Championship. The Bears lead by 80, and it'll be Chris Woakes to bowl the first over after the interval.

1:24PM - Lunch

Leicestershire 125 & 167-9 | Warwickshire 372

After playing eight additional overs, Warwickshire are unable to take the tenth and final wicket meaning they are heading off for lunch.

What a session for the Bears, as they move to within one wicket of the Rothesay County Championship Division One title. Leicestershire started the day three wickets down, but six wickets have fallen in that session, and the Bears are on the brink.

1:21PM

Leicestershire 125 & 166-9 | Warwickshire 372

Leicestershire's tenth wicket partnership is keeping us waiting. Against some very good bowling, they're holding firm. The Bears still need one wicket in this extended first session...

12:50PM

Leicestershire 125 & 142-9 | Warwickshire 372

WICKET! Manav Suthar strikes with an absolute beauty. He bowls Patel with a sharp turning delivery to put the Bears on the brink.

Warwickshire are one wicket away!

12:25PM

Leicestershire 125 & 119-8 | Warwickshire 372

The captain gets the breakthrough! Ed Barnard traps Holland in front of all three, and the umpire raises his finger.

Two wickets now stand between Warwickshire and the Division One crown.

12:09PM

Leicestershire 125 & 107-7 | Warwickshire 372

The visitors certainly aren't giving this up. Holland and Scriven have looked in good touch since coming to the crease together, and have taken Leicestershire past 100. Warwickshire still require three wickets with Ed Barnard and Olly Hannon-Dalby into the attack.

11:32AM

Leicestershire 125 & 84-7 | Warwickshire 372

THREE WICKETS AWAY! Bamber gets his second of the morning.

Full, swinging delivery, and Green drives. He edges it and it goes very quickly to Will Young at third slip and he sticks out a hand. What a catch!

11:11AM

Leicestershire 125 & 74-6 | Warwickshire 372

ANOTHER ONE! Bamber this time, and what a grab from Sam Hain at first slip.

A good length delivery that nips away from the right-handed Cox who plays at it, takes the edge and it goes quickly to Hain who takes it expertly.

Four wickets separate Warwickshire from the County Championship title now!

11:07AM

Leicestershire 125 & 74-5 | Warwickshire 372

Woakes again! Another wicket down. What a start from the Wizard this morning.

A full swinging delivery catches the outside edge of Tattersall's bat and flies to the very safe hands of Rob Yates at second slip.

It's been brilliant from both Woakes and Bamber this morning, keeping the pressure firmly on Leicestershire.

10:47AM

Leicestershire 125 & 69-4 | Warwickshire 372

Breakthrough on day three, and it's that man Chris Woakes with an absolute seed to get rid of Budinger.

Budinger, who played positively for his 47, had no response to that. Angling in to the left hander, it just straightens and hits the top of middle and off. Unplayable from the Wizard.

10:33AM

Leicestershire 125 & 58-3 | Warwickshire 372

Chris Woakes gets us under way on day three from the city end, and it's a testing start for the two Leicestershire batters. Three runs, all in singles, from it.

Welcome to day three of the Rothesay County Championship match between Warwickshire and Leicestershire at Edgbaston Stadium.

Play is due to get under way at 10:30AM, and Warwickshire are in a strong position.

After dismissing Leicestershire for 125 on the opening day, a brilliant century from Sam Hain (142) and 88 from captain Ed Barnard helped to put the Bears in control on day two as they reached 372. They then returned with the ball, taking three wickets late last night.

As it stands, Leicestershire have seven second innings wickets remaining and are 192 runs behind.

Warwickshire need a draw or a win from this fixture to win a ninth County Championship title, and a first in five days. It could be a big day for all involved at Edgbaston.