Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell pressed their claims for a place in the England team for the final Ashes Test as Warwickshire fought back in their County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire.

A century from Trott and an unbeaten 92 from Bell gave Warwickshire much relief after they had been asked to follow on. Trott and Bell put on 188 for the third wicket to push ahead of the hosts.

Test hopeful Trott was the more aggressive of the pair and hit 20 fours from 177 balls before he was lbw to Ryan Sidebottom for 121, his fourth hundred of the season, while Bell hit 10 boundaries as Warwickshire finished on 298-3, 129 ahead.

Meanwhile, Chris Nash scored his second century of the season as Sussex eased their relegation fears with an eight-wicket victory which pushed winless Worcestershire a step nearer a return to the Second Division.

Having endured a poor start to the second innings and closing at 71-4 on Wednesday, Worcestershire's batting improved slightly at Hove as Steve Davies (67) helped them to a more respectable 235.

That left Sussex chasing a target of 212 and Nash's century ensured they achieved an eight-wicket win.

Adil Rashid hit a career-best 117 not out against Hampshire as Yorkshire sensed the possibility of a first win in 20 Championship matches, at Basingstoke.

Rashid's innings included a six and 14 fours and came off 190 balls, and when he came off the pitch to a deserved ovation Yorkshire were leading by 274.

Hampshire were 75-2 at stumps, still 199 away from making Yorkshire bat again.

Michael Di Venuto's 84 enabled Division One leaders Durham to establish a clear advantage on day three of their match against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

In Division Two, Leicestershire battled back after being challenged to score 301 runs to avoid an innings defeat by Derbyshire.

A battling 150 by Essex's winter recruit Matthew Walker ensured first-innings honours finished even in their basement battle against Middlesex. Essex reached 345 to concede an 11-run deficit but there was still time for Middlesex to start their second innings.

Geraint Jones was one of three batsmen to make fifties as Kent took their clash with Northamptonshire by the scruff of the neck at Wantage Road.