Rossington salutes Northants after superb fightback at Edgbaston

Rossington played a key role as he notched an unbeaten second-innings 60 before close in the Bob Willis Trophy opener at Edgbaston.

Charlie Thurston joined the captain in a record sixth-wicket partnership for Northants against Warwickshire, making 96 before being trapped LBW by Tim Bresnan.

And it means David Ripley's men, who recovered from 148 for five, finished the day on 317 for six, 90 runs ahead of their hosts.

"It was a great fightback," Rossington said.

"It started this morning with Benny Curran, who played a lovely innings to bring up his fifty, and then we lost a few quick wickets and it was all about trying to rebuild and get ourselves back in the game which we have done.

"It is a very good cricket wicket.

"We were under par in the first innings and they batted well, but we have got ourselves back in the game now and it will be a crucial first hour tomorrow morning.

"We've got to get ahead of the game and then have a crack at them.

"There is still a little bit in the pitch, especially with the new ball, and it is starting to take a lot of spin as well, so hopefully we can get a few more on the board and have a good crack at them tomorrow afternoon.

"It is strange with no fans watching, but everyone is just delighted to be back playing.

"The boys are just thrilled to be back out there with bat and ball in hand."

For Warwickshire, there was frustration after their domination of the first two days.

They were hampered by the absence of former Northants paceman Olly Stone who took the field at start of play but did not bowl before leaving as a precaution after feeling some discomfort in his side.

The problem does not appear serious, as he took the drinks out to his team-mates a short time later, but no risks were taken with a player who is firmly in England's reckoning.

Without Stone, as the day wore on, Warwickshire's attack looked much less potent than in the first innings.

And bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby said: "It didn't quite work out for us today with the ball - I would certainly like to take back maybe four or five four-balls.

"But we are still in a good position in the match and hopefully we can create four good chances tomorrow and then have a little chase later on to get us the win.

"It (Thurston) was an important wicket late in the day and Tim Bresnan's been brilliant all game, with the bat yesterday and then today with the ball he's hit a heavy line and length and was fantastic.

"It was 90 overs in the field but felt like a little bit more than that.

"We haven't spent a day in the dirt like that since September, but we'll rest up tonight and hopefully create those chances in the morning."