Wagh destroys Nottinghamshire as Warwickshire steal dramatic win

Occasional off-spinner Mark Wagh became the surprise match-winner by taking wickets with his third, sixth and eighth balls as Warwickshire pulled off an unexpected victory over Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston.

Kevin Pietersen and Richard Logan were bat-pad victims in the former Oxford University student's first over, and Andrew Harris was bowled as the visitors were dismissed for 141 to give Warwickshire their first win in six games.

The margin was 139 runs with 11.2 overs to spare after a disappointing Nottinghamshire challenge for a target of 281 on a last day shortened by 105 minutes because of overnight rain.

Warwickshire then batted on for 10 minutes against lightweight bowling and Nick Knight was left unbeaten with 98 when skipper Michael Powell declared at 257 for 3.

Nottinghamshire immediately hit problems in trying to set off at a brisk tempo against Vasbert Drakes. John Morris departed at 23, pulling the West Indian paceman to square leg, and Greg Blewett failed to control a cover drive which flew to Powell at mid-off.

Neil Smith (3 for 42) quickly had Usman Afzaal caught behind and Notts could not afford the loss of Darren Bicknell for 45 on the stroke of tea. Not content with one six off Dougie Brown, he lifted the next ball straight to Alan Richardson at deep square leg.

Chris Read went in the first over after the break, pushing Smith to Brown at silly point, but Pietersen caused a major hold-up while making 35 and sharing in a stand of 52 with Richard Lucas.

Wagh broke up the resistance and, with the injured Jason Gallian unable to bat, the result was settled when Lucas was lbw to Smith for 16. Notts not only lost the match but were deducted 0.25 of a point for a slow over-rate.