Piolet skill, Smith heroics, Pierce genius.

Warwickshire 2nd XI hammered Lancashire by 174 runs in the Second XI Championship at Blackpool.

The Bears' batsmen attacked in the morning to reach 216 in their second innings (Richard Johnson 61, Ateeq Javed 46) and set the home side 336 in 71 overs. Lancashire were all out for 151 as Piolet took five for 39, Naqaash Tahir three for 28 and Keith Barker two for 40.

The match was scored as diligently as ever by Warwickshire 2nd XI scorer Steve Smith - in fact more diligently than ever. Struck down by an infection during the final innings, he clearly required hospital treatment but declined to leave his post until the match was complete.

Heroic stuff. And, happy to report, after a hospital check-up, Steve is now on the way back home, well-recovered already.

Meanwhile, if you fancy five and a half minutes of pure magic, listen to "Lord, Can You Hear Me?" by Spiritualized. Truly glorious. And the work of a Warwickshire genius - Jason Pierce!