In their first outdoor friendly of the season Warwickshire successfully chased a Nottinghamshire total of 221/9 to win by three wickets yesterday.

Neither county were able to parade their overseas stars – Vasbert Drakes will join Warwickshire in the next few days after a short break in the Caribbean, while Notts were ready to receive their Australian all-rounder Greg Blewett after the news that he has not been selected for the Aussies Ashes tour.

New Warwickshire captain Michael Powell won the toss and elected to insert the home side and opened the bowling with two of his new recruits, Melvyn Betts, signed from Durham, and Neil Carter, an ECB-qualified player who has been living in South Africa and playing for Boland.

After a breezy start in which Darren Bicknell and Guy Welton added 50 in just nine overs, Betts removed Bicknell, who shovelled an easy catch to cover.

For the second consecutive day Welton passed 40 but then inside-edged the ball on to his stumps from the bowling of Dougie Brown. Hewison, Afzaal and Pietersen all then fell cheaply as Notts struggled.

Paul Franks, with 29, Gareth Clough 23 and a solid 44 not out from Wayne Noon rescued the innings although the final total of 221/9 looked on the low side.

In reply Warwickshire got off to a racing start with 60 coming from the first eight overs. The score was boosted by a wayward opening burst from David Millns, who began with five consecutive legside wides and conceded 39 runs from just four overs.

Mark Wagh and Nick Knight took the Bears to 98 from 14 overs before Notts struck back with three wickets in as many overs. Gareth Clough removed both openers, Wagh for 35 and Knight for 44 – the latter smartly stumped down the legside by Noon, the first of his three victims to complete a fine match.

Dominic Ostler made 18, before falling lbw to Kevin Pietersen's first delivery as he attempted a reverse sweep. The off-spinner continued his fine start for his new county by then removing David Hemp.

Michael Powell and Neil Smith put on 52 in 12 overs to take Warwickshire to the brink of victory but a late salvo from Paul Franks with two wickets in two balls made the prospect of a tight finish a possibility but Smith and Keith Piper saw them safely home.

Notts 221/9 (50 overs) Welton 48, Noon 44 not out Smith 2/33

Warwicks 222/7 (45.5overs) Knight 44, Wagh 35 Franks 3/24

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