Warwickshire took up the challenge thrown down by the Notts captain – Darren Bicknell – when left-hander David Hemp blazed 105 off 101 balls to set up a positive finish to the CricInfo Championship game at Edgbaston.

Bicknell reclaimed the Notts captaincy when Jason Gallian, in his first Championship match of the season following knee surgery, suffered a broken knuckle that may keep him out for the rest of the season when batting against Vasbert Drakes.

Bicknell promptly declared Notts' innings at 350-6 – 23 behind, after Greg Blewett, Usman Afzaal and Kevin Pietersen had all fallen with centuries within sight.

This put the onus on Warwickshire and, after losing two early wickets, they came good with a stand of 163 in 28 overs between Hemp and Nick Knight.

Hemp hit two sixes and 17 fours before his middle stump was flattened by Greg Smith. But Knight stayed unbeaten on 74 as Warwickshire reached 214-3 – 237 runs ahead.

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