Yorkshire relegated after Liam Norwell masterminds Warwickshire's great escape

Norwell took career-best figures of 9 for 62 as the reigning champions survived in Division One by the skin of their teeth

Edgbaston (fourth day of four): Warwickshire 272-4 dec & 177, Hampshire 311 & 133 - Warwickshire win by five runs

Scorecard

Liam Norwell powered Warwickshire to an incredible escape from relegation in the LV= Insurance County Championship as his career-best 9 for 62 sealed a five-run win over Hampshire on a thrilling final day of the season.

Set a target of 139 to secure runners up spot (and condemn the 2021 champions to the drop), Hampshire were blown away for 133 as Norwell, returning at the end of an injury-ravaged season, bowled magnificently in several spells from the Pavilion End.

His excellence lifted Warwickshire above the relegation trapdoor in the final moments of the season and dumped Yorkshire into Division Two instead.

After resuming in the morning on 62 for 2, the Bears appeared to have relinquished their survival hopes when they collapsed to 177 all out. Dom Sibley, in his last game for the Bears before rejoining Surrey, made 77 but James Fuller (4 for 34) and Brad Wheal (3 for 68) exploited the desperate quest for quick runs. 

Hampshire needed 139 in 72 overs but slumped to 91 for seven and, despite Nick Gubbins' steadfast 46, they fell just short to suffer an agonising defeat and slip to third place in the table.

For the victors, joy. For the defeated, angst. And for the countless spectators monitoring from around the world, brilliant entertainment which again underlined the ability of both red-ball cricket and county cricket to deliver a memorable entertainment.

^{Liam Norwell recorded career-best figures at Edgbaston (Getty Images)}

With all the pressure on the home side, Hampshire set defensive fields in the morning and bowled well to them. Wheal was first to benefit as Alex Davies (32) and Will Rhodes sent up catches. Fuller then capitalised when Dan Mousley and Jake Bethell perished on the ultra-offensive.

Sam Hain's runner was then run out by James Vince's direct hit. Danny Briggs clouted his first ball for six but found deep midwicket with another attempt, Fuller yorked Norwell and Sibley was last to go, lbw to Ian Holland, before walking off to a fond valedictory ovation.

Hannon-Dalby then struck first with a beauty which took Felix Organ's edge... Norwell did the rest. He bowled Holland, offering no shot, trapped Joe Weatherley lbw and had Vince caught at long leg. At 49 for 4, it was very much game on.

Norwell returned just before tea to pin Ben Brown lbw and completed his five-for when Nye Donald chipped to extra cover. He then castled Keith Barker but Gubbins and Fuller added 33 to take their side to the brink of victory.

The admirable Norwell had the last say though. He trapped Gubbins lbw, ripped out Fuller's middle stump and, to enormous cheers from the crowd, won an lbw decision against Mohammed Abbas to complete a true 'I was there' day for Warwickshire's supporters. Yorkshire's fans are unlikely to forget it in a hurry either!