Harris to the fore

Jonathan Trott led the Warwickshire recovery

Paul Harris’ fourth five-wicket haul in six Liverpool Victoria County Championship matches looked like being undermined when Warwickshire slipped to 25 for four in their second innings against Durham at Chester-le-Street.

But with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 49 they had recovered to 65 for four, leading by 95, when bad light then rain ended play an hour early in this Division One match.

Durham were all out for 284 after starting the day on 53 for three, Dale Benkenstein and Ben Harmison leading the way with a fifth-wicket stand of 118.

After managing just 44 runs in six championship innings, left-hander Harmison scored an excellent 65 – 23 more than his brother Steve’s first-class best – before tamely driving Harris to deep mid-on.

The South African left-arm spinner finished with 6-94 from 34.4 overs, resting for only five overs during the first two sessions.

The pitch offered little turn, but Harris’ variation and immaculate control meant Durham could take no liberties with him, and when they did Harmison and Phil Mustard succumbed when going well.

Warwickshire were without skipper Heath Streak, who tweaked his back during the warm-up, and acting captain Nick Knight used three spinners.

But England tourist Alex Loudon was given only four overs, while the other off-spinner - England Under-19 all-rounder Moeen Ali, was also wicketless in 12 overs.

In his fifth over of the day Harris turned one just enough to find Gary Scott’s edge after the opener had added 10 to his overnight 24.

Benkenstein had hit eight fours when he greeted Loudon’s first ball with a back-foot punch for three through extra cover to reach his seventh championship 50 of the season off 85 balls.

Harmison completed his half-century off one ball fewer than his captain when he drove Loudon wide of mid-off for his sixth four, having also hit Harris over mid-wicket for six.

Durham were 193 for four at lunch, but in the third over of the afternoon Harris snared Benkenstein at forward short-leg for 79.

Harmison followed but Phil Mustard lifted Ali over long-on for six and 42 had been added for the seventh wicket when Gareth Breese played well forward to Dougie Brown and was adjudged lbw for 29.

Left with the tail, Mustard took a stride down the pitch before slicing Harris to cover.

Warwickshire had not added to their lead when Mark Wagh followed Mick Lewis’ gentle away-swinger and fell first ball, edging to second slip.

Three balls later Ali played round a straight one to be lbw, and Warwickshire were four for three when Knight edged a beauty from Graham Onions to Mustard.

In his fourth over Lewis needed only minimal movement off the seam to breach Tim Ambrose’s defence and take out middle stump.

But Trott responded by hitting four successive balls from Onions to the off-side boundary and Loudon accompanied him to the close.