WARWICKS AIM TO GO SOLO

WARWICKSHIRE hope to shine again under the Edgbaston floodlights and go clear at the top of the Axa League table against Hampshire this evening (5.05pm).

Warwickshire's five wicket win over Kent on Sunday took them joint top with Essex and Hampshire and victory tonight would put them four points clear and scupper Hampshire's own title challenge.

With two more home floodlit games to come in the next fortnight Warwickshire hope to tighten their grip on the competition they won last season and their players obviously enjoy the experience of day/night cricket.

Atmosphere

"We are a team that enjoys the big occasion because we are used to winning things and the atmosphere of floodlit cricket is special" said all rounder Dougie Brown.

"Hopefully we will get a few more people in than we did against Lancs the other week.

"The Birmingham public love to see cricket and to see us winning and at the moment we have got a winning streak together.

"It's another big game for us and it's another eight-pointer and if we win it will put us clear with points on the board."

Warwickshire expect to be without former England paceman Gladstone Small who pulled a hamstring leaping to take a catch against Kent on Sunday.

All rounder Mo Sheikh, who took a career best 3-32 against Lancashire in Warwickshire's last floodlit game two weeks ago, has been added to the squad and will play if Warwickshire decide to select a sixth bowler.

Batsman Dominic Ostler, whose last first team outing was against Lancashire, is also in the squad.

Warwickshire are expected to recall opening batsman Michael Powell for the county championship match against Hampshire at Edgbaston tomorrow.

Powell is likely to open with Nick Knight which will allow Neil Smith, who partners Knight in one-day cricket, to drop down the order.

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