By Mike Beddow at Edgbaston
First day of four: Warwicks 317-7 v Kent
THESE two counties would not have expected to close the season fretting over a place in next year's Super Cup. Neither would the grand plan have envisaged their overseas players returning to the West Indies before the last ball is due to be bowled.
Carl Hooper was reluctantly excused a final chore, Brian Lara has a sore knee, and the absence of the headliners only hardened the impression of unfulfilled promise. This match is more about tidying up the accounts.
Nick Knight completed 1,000 runs for Warwickshire during a century opening partnership with Mark Wagh, and Neil Smith was within eight of a similar milestone when he gloved a catch to Steve Marsh after hitting eight fours and three sixes in passing 50 for the eighth time this summer.
Kent introduced Darren Scott, an off-spinner from the St Lawrence and Highland Court club, and his debut almost became memorable when a lofted drive by Wagh brushed his fingertips.
Two clearer chances were missed before Wagh drove fiercely to short extra cover for the first of three wickets for Min Patel.
Day 2: Marsh saves Kent from humiliation
By Mike Beddow at Edgbaston
Second day of four: Kent (186-7) trail Warwicks (323) by 137 runs
STEVE MARSH, unbeaten with 51, and Matthew Walker, with an earlier half-century in 71 balls, spared Kent the embarrassment of following on for a second successive match.
Marsh cleared the danger with a six off Ashley Giles after bad light and drizzle had held up Warwickshire's push for a win which could lever them into next year's Super Cup.
The second day began well for Kent, three wickets falling to Mark Ealham in nine balls, and if unfortunate to meet an inspired Andrew Caddick last week, they were no more comfortable against two seamers who have shared 128 championship wickets this season.
The opening pair of Ed Smith, 21, and Robert Key, 19, resisted for over an hour before Ed Giddins took two wickets in four balls and Dougie Brown two in five.
Warwickshire's catching was almost flawless until one lapse at third slip allowed Marsh to go on to 50 with a second six.
Day 3:
At Edgbaston, Warwickshire continued to turn the screw on Kent. Ed Giddins added another two wickets yesterday, including that of Steve March, who was attempting to stiffen Kent's resolve, to finish with five for 61. Kent added just 11 runs for the last three wickets, trailing Warwicks by 126 runs.
Whatever encouragement Kent gained by removing Nick Knight with a run on the board, and Mark Wagh 47 runs later, was swiftly dampened. David Hemp and Mike Powell added 60 runs; then Tony Frost (50) and Dougie Brown (81) raised the tempo with a stand of 93; enabling Warwicks to declare at 262, a lead of 388.