Timely boost for Aussie Webster in Championship

The Australian Test allrounder hit an unbeaten 100 of 166 balls, while Malik made a career-best 142 as Warwickshire chased down 393 - the third-highest target in their history - to beat Worcestershire by five wickets in Division One.

Worcestershire needed 338 with eight wickets in hand at the start of the day before Malik and Webster took control.

Dan Mousley chipped in with 69 before Kai Smith (48 off 40) joined Webster to see the hosts home with almost 14 overs to spare to leave bottom side Worcestershire staring at relegation.

It will give the Tasmanian plenty of confidence with the end-of-the year Ashes series looming large in Australia.

In other matches, Essex inflicted Sussex's first championship defeat at Hove since May 2022 after wrapping up only their second victory of the season inside 25 minutes on the final day.

The home side began play needing another 55 just to make Essex bat again and while James Coles got the single he needed for his third consecutive century there was little else to cheer as they were bowled out for 261 to lose by an innings and 39 runs.

Top two Surrey and Nottinghamshire both had to settle for draws, at Yorkshire and Hampshire respectively.

Division Two leaders Leicestershire strengthened their promotion push with a 189-run victory over Derbyshire at Derby.

England allrounder Rehan Ahmed finished with 7-93, and 13 wickets in the match, as the hosts were dismissed for 256.

Second-placed Glamorgan kept up the chase with a five-wicket win at home to struggling Kent after Kiran Carlson scored an unbeaten 89 in a successful pursuit of 189, the hosts knocking off the remaining 164 required for the loss of only three further wickets.

England spinner Tom Hartley claimed 5-99 - and match figures of 11 for 215 - as Lancashire beat Gloucestershire by nine wickets with five overs to spare at Cheltenham.

Following-on at 98 without loss Hartley took advantage of a helpful pitch to leave the visitors needing 110 from 26 overs and an unbeaten second-wicket stand of 103 between Keaton Jennings (57no) and Josh Bohannon saw them home.

Middlesex boosted their hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon with an innings and 107-run victory over Northamptonshire.

The visitors began the day 3-64 following-on and despite battling Rob Keogh's unbeaten 61 made in nine minutes short of five hours they could not stave off defeat.

Australian Associated Press