Trott runs riot

Jonathan Trott's fourth century of the season powered Warwickshire to a thrilling five-run victory over Northamptonshire in the NatWest Pro40 Division Two encounter at Edgbaston.

Trott struck 108 as the Bears piled up a daunting 271 for four from their 40 overs - a total that, batting under lights, the visitors did brilliantly to threaten before falling just short at 266 for five.

Northamptonshire have lost their first three Pro40 games, leaving their promotion hopes in tatters, while back-to-back wins have put Warwickshire right back in contention.

A record partnership of 168 in 27 overs between Trott and Jim Troughton underpinned the Warwickshire innings.

Trott's 112-ball innings contained 11 fours and a six, while there were 12 boundaries in Troughton's near run-a-ball 87 - his best limited-overs score for Warwickshire.

But Northamptonshire contributed to their own downfall with some dreadful bowling and scruffy fielding.

Jonathan Trott hit a superb 108 to set up a tense victory for Warwickshire at Edgbaston

After losing the toss, the visitors struck an early blow when Neil Carter's off-stump was flattened by Johan van der Wath.

But Trott and Troughton then combined fluent strokeplay with brilliant running. Troughton finally lifted Andrew Hall to long-on, but Trott then hit top gear.

The 27-year-old likes facing Northamptonshire - before this match he averaged 155.60 against them in one-day cricket.

But never can he have filled his boots against such dross - as full-tosses, long-hops and half-volleys came his way.

Trott's century came when Nicky Boje, at long-on, allowed the ball straight through him to the boundary.

Warwickshire skipper Darren Maddy joined in with four fours and two sixes from just 20 balls, helping to add 79 in eight overs with Trott.

Northamptonshire openers Stephen Peters and Niall O'Brien posted 50 in 10 overs, but a short rain break disrupted their rhythm.

O'Brien was bowled by a Carter yorker, and Peters (53) grew frustrated against the spinners before lifting Ant Botha to long-off.

Rob White kept his side in the hunt with a rapid 62, and Riki Wessels thrashed four sixes in a 31-ball 54 to leave Northamptonshire needing 30 from the last two overs.

As nerves frayed, Warwickshire dropped four skiers in seven balls, but 20 required from the last over, bowled by Carter, proved just too much.