Warne and his opposite number, Michael Burns, worked out a declaration that left Somerset 351 for victory, and at 300 for three and John Francis going well on 110, victory seemed assured. But Warne prised out Francis, whereupon the home side collapsed. They lost their heads as well as their last seven wickets for 40 runs, including three run outs. Warne finished a Herculean workload of 40 overs with six for 127.
Kevin Pietersen maintained his extraordinary record against Derbyshire to revive Nottinghamshire after the Second Division leaders had struggled to assert themselves against their lowly hosts. Pietersen, who qualifies to play for England this autumn, hit 153 in a third wicket stand of 299 with Darren Bicknell, who ended the penultimate day unbeaten on 155. Worthy as Bicknell’s effort was, it could not match the forthright strokeplay of Pietersen’s fifth championship hundred against Derbyshire. The South African’s innings spanned just 194 balls and included 21 fours and a six. By the close Notts trailed Derbyshire’s first innings by 10 runs.
At Grace Road, Leicestershire take a lead of 204 with six second-innings wickets in hand into the final day against Yorkshire, while in the First Division Owais Shah’s century was the highlight of a predictable draw between Middlesex and struggling Northamptonshire.
Pakistan beat India by 66 runs in the first match of the Videocon Cup in Amsterdam, in preparation for next month’s Champions Trophy.