ED Barnard took four wickets on the day one against Hampshire at Edgbaston.
But some lower-order resistance – led by James Fuller – lifted the visitors to 300 all out during the opening exchanges of the sides’ Rothesay County Championship clash.
Hampshire had slid to 130 for five and 223 for eight before Fuller’s bullish, unbeaten, half-century (52 not out, from 52 balls) provided the platform for the addition of 77 for the last two wickets.
Barnard took four for 56, and Olly Hannon-Dalby three for 47, for a Warwickshire team full of confidence after their strong start to the season.
They then wobbled themselves, however, as they lost both openers before closing the first day on 27 for two in reply.
Barnard told Warwickshire’s official website: Ed Barnard, said: “The pitch got a little bit flat at times, but you always felt, as a bowler, you could get something out of it.
“I thought we bowled brilliantly. Ethan Bamber bowled really well without any luck. He didn’t take any wickets, but if he bowls like that every time, he’ll take plenty.
“He’s shown everyone what he can do and has been a brilliant addition to our squad.
“It was a bit frustrating at the end but Fuller batted well and managed the tail nicely.
“If you’d offered us 300 at the start of the day, with them having chosen to bat first, we would’ve snatched your hand off.
“It was good for me to get through some overs, I’m always happy to bowl and was pleased to get among the wickets.
“It came out nicely and I was really pleased. We have such a nice balance to the side at the moment, we’ve got bowling options coming out of our ears, so Davo (Alex Davies) has always got somewhere to turn.”
Hampshire elected to bat but lost Fletcha Middleton in the fourth over of the day when he edged Hannon-Dalby to second slip, and Rob Yates took his 147th catch for Warwickshire.
Mark Stoneman and Nick Gubbins (27, 71) gritted out 62 from 24 overs, but, with the lunch interval beckoning, Hants’ batting fragility kicked in. Gubbins edged an outswinger from Beau Webster to wicketkeeper Alex Davies and Tom Prest nicked a firm-footed jab at Barnard.
Hannon-Dalby struck the biggest blow with the 32nd ball after lunch when the obdurate Stoneman (48, 106 balls) gave Davies his third catch. Ben Brown followed the pattern of batters getting in, then getting out, when he dug in for 29 from 56 balls, but then dragged a drive at Webster onto his stumps.
At 130 for five, Hampshire were in jeopardy of coming in under 200 again for the third consecutive innings, on a good batting pitch, but Dawson (46, 84) and Toby Albert applied themselves to add 68 in 19 overs. Both then perished in the space of 10 balls. Dawson edged Barnard high to second slip and Albert flicked Tazeem Ali to mid-wicket to give Yates his 148th and 149th catches for Warwickshire.
The sun-soaked crowd didn’t have to wait long before his 150th Bears catch was pouched: Kyle Abbott drove mightily at Barnard but sliced to second slip when Yates triumphantly seized the ball above his head.
That was 223 for eight and Hampshire appeared well under par but the tail wagged. Former Warwickshire loanee Brad Wheal counter-attacked for a 24-ball 28 before falling lbw, struck on the back pad, to the impressive Barnard. John Turner, recalled to the side in place of Sonny Baker, helped Fuller add 34 before edging Hannon-Dalby behind.
Warwickshire were left with eight overs to bat during which Hampshire hit back hard.
Yates’ day took a downward twist when he was trapped lbw by Abbott and, with 16 balls left in the day, Davies top-edged a heave at Wheal and Middleton took an excellent catch running in from deep backward point.
