Lancashire on top despite Trott hundred

Lancashire 354 and 199 v Warwickshire 113 and 263 for 6
Scorecard

Jonathan Trott made a timely return to form with an unbeaten century which frustrated Lancashire's push for victory in their County Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Trott's 102 was his first since he made a century in his Test debut in last August's Ashes decider at the Oval and came a day before the selectors meet to name their squad for next week's first Test against Bangladesh at Lord's.

There has been speculation that Trott's Test place might be under threat after his indifferent form during the winter and an inconsistent start to the domestic season which had seen him make three half centuries but five single figure Championship scores before today.

But Trott came good with a determined and unflustered innings, his 21st first-class century, on a pitch of variable bounce and against a strong Lancashire attack which included his England team-mate James Anderson.

Thanks to Trott and Rikki Clarke (42), Warwickshire took the game into a fourth day but Lancashire are still well-placed to complete a swift double over them. Warwickshire were set 441, which would be the highest fourth innings total in their history, for victory and they closed on 263 for 6, still 178 short of victory, having slipped to 119 for 4 at one stage.

Once again it was Glen Chapple who caused them most problems with Lancashire's captain following up his five wickets in the first innings with four more including an opening burst of 3 for 12. Chapple had Darren Maddy leg before wicket and then had England batsman Ian Bell caught behind as he tried to leave alone a ball that bounced and followed him.

Warwickshire slipped to 30 for 3 when Ian Westwood nibbled another one from Chapple that bounced but Trott began the repair work with Jim Troughton in a fourth wicket stand of 89 in 24 overs. Chapple had to recall himself to break the stand which he did in his second over back when Troughton edged to first slip playing defensively.

Anderson bowled two short and economical spells but was more expensive when he was brought back for a third as Trott and Clarke counter-attacked either side of tea. Trott struck seven fours in a 78-ball half century and added eight more in completing a responsible 184-ball century.

Clarke, who added 86 in 26 overs for the fifth wicket with Trott, went lbw playing back to slow left-armer Simon Kerrigan and Lancashire scented a three-day win when Tim Ambrose gave a return catch to Tom Smith. But Trott, helped by Neil Carter, continued to blunt Lancashire's attack and denied them the chance to claim the extra half-hour.