Worcestershire revive promotion hopes with 9 wicket win over Warwickshire

Senior seamer Stuart Lampitt and rookie paceman Chris Liptrot both set career-best figures as Worcestershire revived their promotion challenge with a three-day victory over Warwickshire at New Road.

Liptrot took six for 44 in wrapping up the visitors' first innings for 142, and when they followed on 196 behind, Lampitt claimed seven for 45 in their dismissal for 231.

Worcestershire, recovering a spell of five defeats in eight games, required only 36 to complete a nine-wicket win and move into second place in the congested second division table.

Lampitt, in his benefit season after 15 years' service since his debut, had never taken more than five wickets in an innings but finally broke the barrier with his spell of 4 for 16 in 4.4 overs after tea.

Yet for a long time, it seemed that Warwickshire were determined to put up a fight in a seventh Championship match without a win before going on to Lord's for the NatWest Trophy final on Saturday.

The early loss of Michael Powell was repaired by a partnership of 68 by opener Mark Wagh and the gifted Anurag Singh, who hit 15 fours and a six in brilliant 79 from 93 balls.

Wagh became Lampitt's first victim and Singh lost his leg stump to give Liptrot his only success in the innings, but Trevor Penney was next to hold up Worcestershire with his second Championship 50 of the season.

A sliced drive off David Leatherdale ended his 124-ball effort and Lampitt did the rest to give Worcestershire a well-deserved day off.