That was enough time for quick-scoring Stoneman to blast his way past the half-century though, bringing up his 50 in style by hooking Neil Carter for six, the ball after cover-driving him for four. When he tried to repeat that big hooked six from the once-again impressive Chris Woakes though, he mistimed the stroke and fired the ball straight to Boyd Rankin at deep midwicket.

Given the injury, the disruption of a runner and his truncated innings, Stoneman can be well pleased with his effort.

Should the bowling attack equal the batting contribution, Durham could very well yet engineer a third-straight County Championship win – and another in little more than three days.

Warwickshire v Durham

Edgbaston Durham Won Toss Overnight: Durham 322-6 (I D Blackwell 107 no).

Durham First Innings Close

M D Stoneman c Rankin b Woakes64

I D Blackwell not out 139

C D Thorp not out 4

Extras (b13 lb6 w7 nb4 pens 0)30

Total (7 wkts (117.1 overs))403

Fall: 1-31 2-97 3-114 4-120 5-206 6-304 7-397

To Bat: G Onions, S J Harmison.

Woakes 32 7 105 4; Rankin 20.1 4 62 0; Carter 23 5 90 2; Patel 29 2 93 1; Trott 1 1 0 0; Botha 12 2 34 0;