Matt Critchley and Harvey Hosein guide Derbyshire to draw at Edgbaston

A crucial sixth-wicket stand between Matt Critchley and Harvey Hosein was enough to earn Derbyshire a battling weather-hit draw against Warwickshire.

Matt Critchley (83) and Harvey Hosein (78 not out) were unmoved in the morning session, putting on 113, before snow prevented the hosts any chance of a final session run chase at Birmingham.

Beginning the day on 71-5, with just a slender second innings lead of 39, the visitors were in desperate need of a partnership to save the game. Critchley and Hosein provided just that, looking unnerved at the crease as the pair extended Derbyshire’s lead past 100, much to the frustration of the Warwickshire bowlers and Oliver Hannon-Dalby who was unable to add to his five-wicket haul on day three in a wicketless opening session for the hosts.

Critchley added to his overnight score of 23 to go through to his second half century of the match off just 73 balls and was looking well on course for a century as Derbyshire went to lunch at 159-5, a lead of 127.

Warwickshire finally made the breakthrough shortly after the lunch interval as Liam Norwell dismissed Critchley LBW for a fine innings of 83. Hosein soon moved to his half century off a more patient 103 balls as Derbyshire went past their first innings total of 189.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice provided useful support before Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes found his outside edge for a useful knock of 21. The visitors lost their last three wickets for 25 runs with Craig Miles and Sam Hain combining twice to remove Michael Cohen and Ben Aitchison.

Sam Conners was the last man out on the stroke of tea as Liam Norwell claimed his second wicket of the innings and seventh of the match, leaving keeper Hosein stranded for an impressive 78 not out. Derbyshire finished their second innings 244 all out, leaving Warwickshire 41 overs to chase 213.

However, any hopes of a potentially exciting chase in the final session were quickly diminished as snow descended on Edgbaston just 4.1 overs into the Warwickshire reply with the score on 7-0. A second flurry of snow meant the players were unable to return to the field and a contest severely impacted by the weather on all four days was eventually called a draw.

Warwickshire take 12 points ahead of a trip to Trent Bridge on Thursday, whilst Derbyshire face Worcestershire at home with 11 points secured following a hard-earned draw aim Birmingham.

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