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Indian spinner Manav Suthar played a key role as Warwickshire kept their Division One County Championship hopes alive with a convincing win over Hampshire in Southampton.
Warwickshire wrapped up the match inside three days, beating Hampshire by an innings and 129 runs. Suthar was at the heart of the victory, finishing with seven wickets in the match as Hampshire’s batting fell apart twice.
The result moved Warwickshire to within five points of Division One leaders Somerset, who also picked up an innings win in the same round.
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Manav Suthar puts Hampshire under pressure
Hampshire had a terrible third day, losing 14 wickets as their hopes of saving the match disappeared quickly.
They began the day on 74/6 in their first innings but were bowled out within an hour. Suthar dismissed James Fuller lbw, while Olly Hannon-Dalby and Ethan Bamber helped Warwickshire finish off the innings.
Hampshire were then asked to bat again, but things did not get much better. They were bowled out for just 154, giving Warwickshire a huge win.
Hampshire’s first-innings total also continued a worrying trend. They have now been bowled out for less than 200 in their first innings in four straight matches.
Suthar finishes with seven wickets
Suthar continued to trouble the Hampshire batters in their second innings and ended the match with figures of 4/52. That took his match tally to seven wickets for 94 runs.
The Indian spinner’s performance came at an important time for Warwickshire as they look to stay in the race near the top of the Division One table.
Hampshire did show some fight through Toby Albert and Jake Lehmann. The pair added 66 runs before Lehmann was run out for 42. Albert followed soon after when he edged one to slip.
At 128/4, Hampshire still had a chance of making Warwickshire work hard for the final wickets. Instead, they collapsed quickly, losing their last six wickets for only 26 runs.
Suthar dismissed Ben Mayes after he was stumped, before Hampshire’s lower order came under more pressure. Hannon-Dalby then removed Scott Currie and Eddie Jack, leaving Suthar to complete the win when Kyle Abbott chipped a catch to cover.
Warwickshire stay in the Division One race
The bonus-point win leaves Warwickshire just five points behind Somerset at the top of the table.
Hampshire, meanwhile, remain in serious trouble. They are now 31 points away from safety with only three matches left in the season.
They face away games against Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire next before returning home for their final match on September 24.
For Warwickshire, though, the focus will be on the title race, with Suthar’s seven-wicket performance giving them a major boost at a crucial stage of the season.