Friday 3 August 2007 19:17, UK
Durham raced to victory on the final afternoon against Warwickshire.
Durham blasted their way to third in the Division One table with a nine-wicket win over Warwickshire at The Riverside. After bowling out their opponents for 426, the home side were left needing 192 in 36 overs. Their task proved a simple one thanks to an excellent opening stand from Michael Di Venuto and Phil Mustard. The pair managed 49 in the first five overs as they put on 157 before Mustard - promoted up the order - fell for 76 off just 58 balls. Di Venuto stood firm until the finish, ending up unbeaten on 91, as Durham reached their target with an impressive 5.5 overs to spare. Their chances of victory had been boosted by a stunning Warwickshire collapse in the afternoon session as five wickets went down for just 13. Ian Westwood (116) had failed to add to his overnight total in the morning while fellow centurion Kumar Sangakkara was bowled by Gibson for 119. The Bears were indebted to a final wicket partnership of 71 between Lee Daggett and James Anyon for extending their lead into three figures. However, it was not enough to deny Durham, who picked up 21 points to close in on current leaders Sussex. Day Three Ian Westwood and Kumar Sangakkara shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 218 as Warwickshire battled back against Durham at the Riverside.
Westwood (116no) and Sangakkara (100no) both contributed centuries as the Bears closed the third day at 256-1 in their second innings, a lead of 21.
In the morning, Ben Harmison completed the third first-class century of his career as Durham extended their first innings from 378-6 to 474.
The gave the hosts a first-innings lead of 235 but Warwickshire had wiped that out by the end of the day courtesy of their second-wicket pair.
Day Two
Kyle Coetzer and Ben Harmison shared a stand of 182 as Durham moved comfortably ahead of Warwickshire on day two of their Division One match at Chester-le-Street.
Coezter took 451 minutes to make a stoic 142 - his maiden championship century - the Scot's innings eventually ending when he edged a Darren Maddy delivery just before bad light stopped play.
Nevertheless, Coetzer did enjoy some good fortune, and could have been caught and bowled when on 58 had left-arm spinner Paul Harris not celebrated too early and dropped the ball.
Harmison also passed his previous championship best to move on to 84 not out - in turn making his third half-century of the season.
Starting the day on 110 for three, Durham captain Dale Benkenstein made 45 before pulling to mid-wicket, with Phil Mustard then lasting only five balls.
Day One
England bowler Liam Plunkett was in the wickets as Durham bowled out Warwickshire for 239 to be in a good position at the end of day one.
Plunkett (4-74) and fellow paceman Otis Gibson (4-56) both took four wickets each as the visitors were restricted to 239 all out.
Kumar Sangakkara top scored for the Bears with 59, while Paul Harris made a vital 55 at number ten, including a ninth-wicket partnership of 71 with Naqqash Tahir to drag Warwickshire up to a decent total.
Durham finished the day on 110-3 in their response, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul being prised out by Heath Streak for just 12 on his home debut at the Riverside.
