Warwickshire coast to the brink of victory

Warwickshire powered towards their first home County Championship win since September 1999 as Durham meekly surrendered a position of strength on the third day.

Melvyn Betts hijacked his former county by taking five for 22 in their second innings collapse for 102 and Warwickshire rattled along to make 176 for two, needing a further 51 to reach a target of 227.

The only obstruction in their progress came when Paul Collingwood dismissed the openers in quick succession but otherwise it was a story of inadequate bowling. The lowest point for Durham was an over from Ian Hunter which included three fours from Mark Wagh and a drop at second slip by Collingwood.

The former Oxford University captain profited from this let-off by making 76 not out and putting on 91 in 20 overs with David Hemp as Warwickshire rushed to grasp an opportunity presented by Betts' outstanding performance.

Durham were clearly mindful of inconsistent bounce when they lasted only as far as the 56th over after losing their first six wickets - five of them to Betts - for only 43.

The former England A paceman, who moved to Edgbaston in the winter, had figures of 11-6-14-3 before lunch and came back to take two more from his first four balls in the afternoon.

Danny Law (23) and Ian Hunter (37) then launched a recovery with a stand of 58 before Dougie Brown polished off the last three wickets for a final return of three for 16. Durham were a man short because James Brinkley had rushed away to attend the birth of a first child.