Durham's Phil Mustard thwarts Bears spinner Imran Tahir

LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Edgbaston:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Durham 379, Warwickshire 18-1
(Durham 4 pts, Warwickshire 3 pts)
Match scorecard

Durham skipper Phil Mustard hit the third first-class century of his career

Phil Mustard wrote a new chapter in his career at Edgbaston, as he made his first County Championship century since taking over as Durham captain.

The 27-year-old left hander was last out for 100 to countering a stunning return of 8-114 in 30.3 overs by Warwickshire spinner Imran Tahir.

Pakistan-born Tahir twice took two wickets in three balls.

But it did not stop Mark Stoneman (77) and Gordon Muchall( 60) helping Durham to 379, the Bears replying on 18-1.

Tahir's outstanding performance was the best return by a Warwickshire bowler since 2002.

And it was also the best figures by a slow bowler against Durham since they joined the Championship in 1992.

But it was not enough to dampen the champions' resurgence after their problematic, injury-hit start to the season.

Mustard was Tahir's final victim, holing out on the leg-side immediately after reaching his third first-class hundred with his second six.

Facing 140 balls in all, his second 50 coming in just 38 of them, he also hit nine fours in leading his side into a strong position underpinned when Darren Maddy departed in Mitchell Claydon's first over.

Quickly rebounding from last week's heavy defeat by Kent, Durham, 65-1 overnight after a rain-hit opening day, began the second day strongly as Stoneman and Muchall extended their second-wicket stand to 153 in 45 overs.

Stoneman compiled his first Championship half-century since scoring 64 in the corresponding fixture at Edgbaston last June. And Muchall went beyond 50 for the first time since his unbeaten 106 against Sussex at Hove in May last year.

Things only changed with the introduction of Tahir.

Relishing an opportunity to bowl on a dry pitch, he made a breakthrough with three wickets in 15 balls without conceding a run.

After dismissing Muchall, leg before wicket playing back, he continued to use the googly to good effect.

Richard Johnson, called up in place of the omitted Tim Ambrose, stumped Stoneman when the opener lost his balance, and Maddy held a slip chance from Ian Blackwell.

Ben Stokes sparked off another clutch of wickets for Tahir after lunch with a slog to Jim Troughton at wide mid-on.

Dale Benkenstein was next to go, lbw for 26 and Scott Borthwick thrashed a long hop to midwicket.

But Durham were then able to rebuild after the Bears opted to take the new ball. And Liam Plunkett hit 41 in an eighth-wicket stand of 95 with Mustard before Tahir returned to claim both wickets and secure his best figures in this country.

Darren Maddy was then removed before the close for a third ball duck.