Watch: Carnage unfolded at Edgbaston on the final day of the 2022 County Championship as Liam Norwell took 9-62 to ensure Warwickshire avoided relegation with a victory over Hampshire.

Hampshire needed just six runs with one wicket in hand when a full delivery angled in at the stumps from Norwell hit Mohammad Abbas plumb in front, meaning last year’s champions will remain in Division One next season.

Warwickshire had 139 runs to play with after being bowled out for 177 earlier in the day before Norwell took charge on his return to the side with injury having kept him on the sidelines for most of the Championship.

After Oliver Hannon-Dalby dismissed Felix Organ, Norwell bowled Ian Holland not playing a shot, following that up shortly by trapping Joe Weatherly in front with a fast, straight ball.

Next up for Norwell was the crucial wicket of Hampshire captain, James Vince, who played a loose shot, top-edging a leg-side delivery high into the air to the fielder at backward-square leg, with Ben Brown also dismissed shortly before tea.

Norwell continued where he left off after the break, claiming his five-for with his third delivery after tea, Aneurin Donald out caught for 12. It was Norwell’s second five-for of the season after he took 5-78 against Lancashire in June.

As the atmosphere intensified and with Hampshire continuing to make inroads on their target, Norwell castled Keith Barker’s off-stump and removed Nick Gubbins, the last recognised batter, with Hampshire still 14 runs short.

Victory was sealed for Warwickshire with two wickets in the final over. James Fuller lost his middle-stump with six still needed, and Abbas’s dismissal sealed a last-gasp victory.

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