County Championship: Warwickshire beat Durham by one wicket

Ed Barnard’s century, aided chiefly by vital knocks from Kai Smith and Michael Booth, inspired Warwickshire to a hugely dramatic one-wicket win over Durham in their County Championship Division One match at Chester-le-Street.

Chasing 339 to win, after the early loss of Rob Yates, skipper Alex Davies looked in good touch for his 50, but his departure sparked a mini-collapse before lunch.

Four wickets went down for nine runs in seven overs at the hands of Ben Raine and Matthew Potts.

England paceman Potts got the key wicket of Sam Hain, edging behind to Ollie Robinson and he struck again next ball when another of the Bears’ England men Dan Mousley chipped one straight to Dan Hogg at mid-wicket.

Barnard put the hat-trick ball away for a single but Durham continued to run through Warwickshire’s top order, as Raine got his third with the last ball before lunch when Hamza Shaikh edged behind to Robinson for 23.

However, Warwickshire had the perfect blend of experience and youth in the form of Smith and Barnard, who combined brilliantly for a partnership worth 147 to take the wind out of Durham’s sails.

Raine removed Smith before the Bears survived run-out mix-up when former Bears skippr Will Rhodes’ throw went to the wrong end – but there was still another twist as Brendan Doggett orchestrated a fightback.

Barnard got to his ton, only to depart next ball, with 54 still needed, caught down the leg side off Doggett, who then had Taz Ali caught behind.

Booth was then bowled by Potts for a valiant 40 but, still needing 15 to win, Ethan Bamber and Vishwa Fernando remained calm and composed to see the visitors over the line. And Bamber finished it with a theatrical flourish, smashing a six down the ground off Raine.

Warwickshire are back in action on Good Friday when they start their home game with Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston, while Durham are again at home for the derby clash with Yorkshire.