Warwickshire go top as weather-ravaged clash ends in draw

WARWICKSHIRE moved to the top of the embryonic Specsavers County Championship Division One table after their weather-ravaged clash with Yorkshire drifted to a draw at Edgbaston.

The Bears have so far drawn all three games, none of which have even reached the fourth innings due principally to the weather.

There was certainly never a chance of their tussle with the reigning champions yielding a positive result after vast swathes of it were lost to snow, sleet, rain and bad light.

On the final day, ironically the only full day's play, Warwickshire extended their overnight 205 for two to 443 for nine declared, harvesting full batting points, before Yorkshire responded with after tea 73 for two.

It was certainly a forgettable four-days for Yorkshire whose pursuit of their third successive title has begun in staccato fashion with two draws, some worrying top-order fragility and an ankle injury, sustained during this match, to Ryan Sidebottom which will rule him out of next week's game at Nottinghamshire at least.

"We know we are playing 'okay' cricket but know we can be better," said Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale.

"I don't think we have hit our straps in the top five with big partnerships and we haven't bowled in partnerships either. There have been period of play when we have been quite sloppy and gone round the park.

"The encouraging thing is the lads recognise that and want to work hard to put it right and while they are doing that you know you are on the right path. We are not playing our best cricket but have still got two solid draws."

Warwickshire captain Ian Bell, meanwhile, was upbeat about the season so far as his team enters a free week before resuming at home to Somerset on May 8.

After watching his team amass a hefty total thanks largely to Varun Chopra (107 from 182 balls with 15 fours), Jonathan Trott (74, 110, ten), Tim Ambrose (61 not out, 106, six) and Rikki Clarke (51, 46 four fours and two sixes) he said: "The challenge this morning was to get 400, which wasn't going to be straightforward against a good attack, but we did it quite comfortably in the end.

"Tim Ambrose and Rikki Clarke batted really well in the middle order and they are important players for us.

"Them getting runs is a good sign because we have got big runs at the top of the order in the early games but also the engine-room from six down to ten is producing well. If they are batting well as well it just keeps the pressure on the opposition.

"Being top of the table at this stage of the season doesn't really mean anything but the start we have made is very encouraging."