Lancashire missed the chance to book their place in the knockout stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup after Warwickshire ended their five-game winning streak in a last-over finish at Edgbaston.
Sam Hain defied injury to guide Warwickshire to victory with three balls to spare with an unbeaten 84 alongside Alex Mellor, who completed the rain-affected five-wicket win with a scoop for four.
Victory would have ensured Lancashire booked their place in the knockout stages of a 50-over tournament for the first time since 2009, but instead their fate now rests on whether fourth-placed Durham can get at least a point against Yorkshire in their final game on Monday.
Captain Dane Vilas top-scored with 83 from 79 deliveries in Lancashire’s 277 for seven and while England record Test wicket-taker James Anderson produced miserly figures of three for 21 from nine overs it was Hain, who finished the innings batting with a runner after hurting a knee, who proved the difference to continue the form that has helped him score the fifth-most runs in the tournament at an average of 75.8.
The result confirmed North Group leaders Notts Outlaws’ qualification while second-placed Worcestershire are almost assured of going through – barring a wide-margin defeat in their final group game – after they comfortably overcame Yorkshire by 150 runs at Blackfinch New Road.
George Rhodes struck his maiden century for the county and combined with fit-again Ben Cox (87) to help the Rapids recover from 62 for four to post an above-par 293 for seven on a used surface.
All-rounder Wayne Parnell then claimed a five-wicket haul for the second time in a week as Yorkshire were bowled out for 143 in 33 overs to end their slim qualification hopes.
Rob Keogh hit a century as Northamptonshire defeated Midlands rivals Leicestershire by 29 runs at the Fischer County Ground in Leicester.
Keogh’s 102 from 89 balls helped the Steelbacks to 290 for six, their record List A total against Leicestershire. Former Leicestershire seamer Nathan Buck then claimed three for 44 – including the key wickets of Lewis Hill and Colin Ackermann in the same over – as the hosts managed 261 for nine in reply.
