Sam Hain's 142 puts Warwickshire on brink of title

Sam Hain made 142 to push Warwickshire to the brink of a ninth County Championship title at Edgbaston.

Warwickshire bowled Leicestershire out for 125, replied with 372, then left the visitors 55-3 in their second innings. Leicestershire still trail by 192 runs with two days of the final round to play.

Hain faced 301 balls for his runs, according to the official scorecard BBC Sport. It was his 21st century in first-class cricket — the four-day county game — and it took him past 1,000 first-class runs for the season. It is only the second time he has reached that mark in a summer.

He did the hard work with captain Ed Barnard. Barnard made 88, and the pair added 165 together in 50 overs to turn a tight game into a commanding lead. Warwickshire had been 130-4, only five ahead, before that stand took hold ESPNcricinfo.

The first innings had moved fast. Fourteen wickets fell on the opening day. Ethan Bamber took 4-42 and Chris Woakes claimed 3-20 as Leicestershire were dismissed for 125. Warwickshire then built a first-innings lead of 247.

Leicestershire fought harder second time around. Bamber struck again, taking 2-27 to reach 66 wickets for the season. Sol Budinger held firm. He closed unbeaten on 43, but his side lost three wickets around him.

The equation is simple for Warwickshire. They need only a draw from this match to secure the title. A ninth championship would cap a sustained late-season push.

What makes this stand out is Hain’s pacing. He blocked, left and waited. Then he cashed in when Leicestershire tired. For fans new to four-day cricket, that is the format in miniature. Pressure builds slowly, and one long innings changes everything.