In an action packed third day a fired Warwickshire tore in the ever brittle Notts batting line up to set up a possible championship triumph. Notts lost 16 wickets for 288 in 92 madcap overs. Unlike the previous two days the ball started to swing as the strong winds were replaced by much more humid conditions. Furthermore the much taller and more motivated Warwickshire bowlers extracted pace and bounce on a wicket which seemed soporific on the first two days. The day started serenely with no hint of what was to come, with Hales and Bravo adding a further 47 runs in 12 overs, literally the calm before the storm. The turning point seemed to a run out mix-up between the two batsman where bowler Woakes failed to hold a return throw from Ian Westwood, with Hales out of his ground by yards. This incident appeared to fluster Hales and straight after he chased a wide one from Woakes to caught by Chopra at first slip. Hales departing for 72. Next over Wessels edged the hostile Clarke to Chopra at first slip to depart for a four-ball duck. Enter the out of sorts Mullaney who was somewhat fortunate to retain his place ahead of the deserving Elstone. The Bears had done their homework and gave him a barrage of short balls which have proved his downfall too many times this year. It was one shortish ball that Mullaney inadvertently trod on his leg stump while attempting a single. Mullaney out hit wicket, 171 for four. Bravo meanwhile had reached his maiden championship half-century as Notts limped to lunch on 184 for four off 51 overs with much worse to follow. 
Straight after the interval, Read edged the excellent Woakes into Ambrose’s gloves. In his next over, Franks was plumb leg before for a duck as Notts were now 186 for six. Bravo after a promising innings threw it all away skying Clarke to deep extra cover boundary having made 70 with eleven fours. Bravo has much more flair that than the doughty Voges, but alas not yet his concentration. Graeme White must have played and missed two dozen times but showed plenty phlegm as he stood as a spectator to Adams usual pyrotechnics. The Kiwi took his six count to 31, although the second of his two sixes was carried over the ropes by Chopra on the deep mid-wicket boundary. This was a brief interlude of fun for Notts. White finally found his the edge of his bat as he was caught at second slip by Clarke off the brisk Essex loanee Wright. Pattinson hit a four but lifted Clarke straight to Chanderpaul in the covers. Three balls later Adams was bowled following an almighty slog as Wright picked up his second wicket. Adams gone for 34 as Notts were all out for 238, 336 runs in arrears. Woakes picked up four for 91 as Notts now stared certain defeat in the face. Turner running out of innings to earn a full-time contract was perhaps unlucky to be given out caught behind off from a rising ball from Rankin bowling from the City End. Notts went to tea on 47 for one, as Warwickshire stiffs paraded the second XI championship shield to the large crowd during the interval. 
The light was closing in and the players were taken off for bad light as light rain began to fall. Many of the crowd departed but the light surprisingly improved and play re-started at 1715 in what proved to be Happy Hour for The Bears. Bravo was appeared to be out caught off his pads by umpire Cook to depart officially caught Ambrose bowled Wright for 28, 100 for two. Wessels lasted five balls before edging Chris Wright to third slip. The bouncer barrage returned for Mullaney who gave Rankin a return catch trying to pull a lifter from the Irishman only to put the ball into orbit. White who struggled so much only hours earlier was inexplicitly brought in as night watchman with predictable results falling leg before to Wright. The conveyor belt continued as Read edged Rankin to depart for a duck. Franks hit a couple of fours as Notts closed on a truly miserable 136 for six, still trailing by 200 runs. Hales meanwhile stood alone on the burning deck to finish on a composed 69 not out an untroubled innings amongst all the carnage. Without Patel on international duty, Hales is truly head and shoulders above the rest of the batting line up. The day was a classic mismatch between one very determined side against a team with little to play for. What was apparent though as ever what the brittleness of Notts batting with Wessels, Mullaney and Turner looking particularly out of their depth. One thing for certain is that Notts cannot cope without an overseas batter any statements to the contrary is akin to a Turkey voting for Christmas! | 
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