Further to the cancellation of the first two sessions of the third day of the Vitality Championship match between Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire due to rain, a further draw is scheduled to take place at Edgbaston.
In the 35 overs that were possible, Warwickshire reached 175 for 5 in their first innings, in response to the visitors' 400 all out. Ed Barnard scored 69 (142 balls) to deny Nottinghamshire the runs they needed to force the game forward.
As in the first two games of the season at Edgbaston, the combination of a placid pitch and weather interference has inexorably shifted the contest towards a draw. Ben Duckett's impressive double century provided Nottinghamshire with a strong foundation to pursue victory. The favourable bowling conditions of the stormy second afternoon, when Warwickshire reached 26 for 3, were not replicated on the third.
The weather conditions were favourable, with a high cloud cover and a well-prepared pitch, as Warwickshire, having resumed on 71 for 3, advanced towards the follow-on target of 251. Should they reach that total on the final morning, a draw, which is always a possibility, will become a certainty.
Play commenced at 4:00 PM with Barnard and Dan Mousley at 59 in 20 overs. Mousley misjudged an attempted flick to leg and was dismissed by Dane Paterson. Despite being 84 for 4, Warwickshire still had a significant amount of work to do to reach the follow-on figure. However, Barnard remained unwavering. The former Worcestershire player reached 50 in 100 balls and received strong support from Jake Bethell.
Bethell's natural batting ability demands a much higher first-class batting average than 20.37. He has demonstrated patience and selectivity of stroke, indicating his determination to improve this figure. The 20-year-old (38 not out) assisted Barnard in amassing 84 runs in 25 overs before, towards the end of the day, Barnard was dismissed by a superb delivery from Dillon Pennington, which was caught by the wicketkeeper, Joe Clarke.
This was a well-deserved reward for Pennington, whose figures (3 for 40 from 18 overs) on a good batting pitch accurately reflect his excellence. The late wicket, taken just as the cat was about to be put out, also ensured that Nottinghamshire retained a glimmer of hope of turning their domination of this match into victory. If their seamers are able to perform well in the first hour tomorrow, they may be able to put the home side under significant pressure.