The Warwickshire innings was a topsy-turvy affair. After the early loss of Nick Knight, Smith and Lara put on a 100 in 16 overs. Smith fulfilled his pinch-hitting role in powerful fashion as he clubbed 80 from 92 balls to record his best Sunday score for two years. Lara never threatened to dominate as he mixed several sparkling boundaries with some wild air shots.

Sussex, after losing Chris Adams to a ball that stayed low, were kept in the hunt by Michael Bevan as he accumulated at a run a ball. He was out just after completing his first Sunday fifty for Sussex and when, two balls later, Toby Peirce also fell, Sussex had to score 83 from the final 10 overs. The task proved to be too onerous despite the valiant efforts of James Carpenter and Paul Jarvis.