Durham push thwarted by rain

No play was possible on the final day of Durham's County Championship match against Warwickshire at Chester-le-Street, denying the hosts the chance of their first win of the season.

They were 227 ahead with three wickets standing in their second innings, but have now arrived at the halfway stage of their programme with only 36 points. At the same stage last season they had 139.

While Durham coach Geoff Cook was delighted with the performance of Sunderland seamer Chris Rushworth, who took his maiden five-wicket haul, he also praised the bravery of nightwatchman Jamie Harrison: a 21-year-old Sedbergh School product who was sent in to perform the role in both innings and survived for 75 minutes in tough conditions on the third morning to make 23.

Cook, who worked with the Harrison, a left-arm bowler, on his batting during the winter, said: "Jamie has a lot of character and he has enjoyed the opportunity to play at this level. There were questions about his batting 12 months ago but he has gone away and worked hard at it. He has some bravery and he has a defence now. He is also starting to put one or two shots together."