UTTERLY dominant for three days, utterly relieved at the end of the fourth. Durham were made to work hard for their victory over Warwickshire on an enthralling final day in Birmingham.

Needing just seven wickets at the start of play and apparently cruising, Warwickshire’s tail-enders dug in, blocked and frustrated.

It was the bravest of rearguard actions and hard on those who batted so defiantly that it failed.

In the end, though, Durham – bowling without Steve Harmison, who is a major doubt for the top-of-the-table County Championship Division One clash with Lancashire tomorrow because of a back strain – were just able to do enough to get over the line with minutes and 54 balls to spare.

Graham Onions, though, will return after missing this one on instruction from the ECB.

Ruel Brathwaite was the hero in Birmingham, picking up the final two wickets. Chris Metters was bowled with a beautiful in-swinging yorker and then, after a mind-boggling first-half century, Naqaash Tahir was superbly caught by a diving Callum Thorp at fourth slip.

It was a thrilling end to a game Durham had been in total control of until after lunch yesterday and brought a win which puts them just three points behind Lancashire, although they have played a game more than tomorrow’s visitors to the Emirates Durham ICG.

For the second week in a row, Durham have crushed one of their First Division rivals with an innings victory, piling on the runs over the first two days before using the scoreboard pressure to devastating effect.

Dale Benkenstein was once again instrumental in that with his third century in seven Championship games, while Ian Blackwell’s 99 was another highlight, although the real star of the batting display was Will Smith.

The deposed captain is fighting to hold on to his place again following the return of Mark Stoneman in the seconds this week and responded brilliantly, scoring 179, his second-highest career score.