DURHAM lost Will Smith before lunch at Edgbaston – but they will have to do without Mark Stoneman for the remainder of the first innings.

A thigh strain will deny Durham Stoneman’s first-innings return after the opener retired hurt.

Not even employing Phil Mustard as a runner staved off the problem, Stoneman trudging off with 17 runs from 20 balls.

After assessing the injury, Durham’s backroom staff do not expect Stoneman to bat again this innings – and he is unlikely to field.

No decision has yet been made on his potential second innings involvement, but Stoneman is not one to retire without just cause.

Durham only lost one wicket on the opening morning of this County Championship clash, that of captain Will Smith for one run.

Trapped leg before by the impressive Chris Woakes, Smith departed for just five balls, leaving Gordon Muchall and Michael Di Venuto to steady the ship.

The stats might point straight to the draw, but the green hue and unexpected carry from the pitch leave enough to make it interesting.

Warwickshire bowled well to tie Durham down, with Boyd Rankin keeping a tight line and length, while Neil Carter brought the surprising extra bounce out of the pitch.

Despite the early wobbles though, Durham dodged further damage in the opening session, closing out 95-1 at the interval.