BEN Cox’s failure to whip off the bails when Varun Chopra had made just 10 proved costly as Warwickshire romped past Worcestershire for a seven-wicket Friends Life t20 win at a packed-out New Road.

Square-leg umpire Peter Willey raised his finger to give Chopra out, before realising the wicketkeeper had missed the stumps and the opener went on to make a crucial 65.

He put on 119 in 12 overs with man-of-the-match Darren Maddy, who smashed an unbeaten 84 off 42 balls, as the visitors from just up the M5 claimed their first t20 win of the campaign The Worcestershire bowling attack were ragged at times as the County failed to defend 188, with Chris Woakes (28 not out) hitting the winning runs off the last ball of the 19th over.

Although the local bragging rights went to Warwickshire, both teams now have little to play for in the Midlands/Wales/West group after only one win apiece in their opening four games.

Moeen Ali’s superb, boundary-laden 85, which came off just 42 balls and was his new t20 career-best, was the cornerstone of the home side’s total, while Andre Russell provided some late fireworks with a hard-hitting 47 not out.

The Worcestershire innings began with wicketkeeper Pete McKay taking a spectacular catch to dismiss Thilan Samaraweera off Rikki Clarke for just seven.

However, Moeen brought up his half-century off 27 balls and put on 66 with Alexei Kervezee, who was caught down the legside by McKay for 21.

England all-rounder Woakes temporarily put the brakes on the home innings with a couple of tight overs, including the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, but it was a brief respite.

Despite the temperature gauge on the Graeme Hick Pavilion reading 28 degrees, overseas recruit Russell turned the heat up even further on the Warwickshire attack.

The West Indian all-rounder blasted three sixes and five fours in his 21-ball innings, helping to put on 53 in five overs with Gareth Andrew, who only contributed five.

The Bears lost Will Porterfield in the first over when Russell took a brilliant juggling catch over his shoulder in the deep.

Keith Barker followed shortly afterwards, but Chopra made the most of his reprieve to team up with Maddy and take the game away from Worcestershire.