Last-day stalemate looks likely at Edgbaston

Warwickshire made the most of a potential stalemate at Edgbaston by claiming the maximum eight bonus points with a career-best 186 not out by David Hemp.

Whether they will now have the chance to boost their promotion prospects with 12 for a win will depend on what Worcestershire make of a 190-run lead on the last morning.

To set a realistic target, they will need to build quickly on a sedate 113 for 1 in 38 overs in their second innings. The openers put on 49 before Anurag Singh fell to the second ball from off-spinner Neil Smith and there was a touch more spark as Philip Weston moved to an unbeaten 57

The game has had two many unadventurous phases, but no one could blame Warwickshire for taking care when they resumed at 223 for 4, still needing 152 to avoid the follow-on.

Hemp carried them through that period with a well-balanced innings and vibrant assistance from Dougie Brown, who was charging along after lunch until caught behind off Alamgir Sheriyar for 85.

Hemp had then reached 152 - his best for Warwickshire - and then went past a personal-best of 157 for Glamorgan as a fifth batting point was secured in the 114th over.

Thereafter the tactics became mystifying as Warwickshire added only 68 in 23 overs until Michael Powell declared 77 behind at 447 for 6.

Keith Piper ticked along for 21 before he was bowled by David Leatherdale for 21 and there were no fireworks from Neil Smith in an unbeaten 11. Even Hemp became becalmed at the end of his 468-minute innings of 25 fours and two sixes in 368 balls.