GRAHAM ONIONS was off the field with his third injury of the season as Durham slipped to an eight-wicket defeat of the season at Edgbaston yesterday.

Although coach Jon Lewis dismissed it as a “chest niggle”, it is another untimely setback after Onions returned to form with five for 85 in the first innings.

“He needs the work to stay at his best, but he also has to be managed well,” said Lewis. “If Warwickshire had needed 140 rather than 63 he would probably have bowled. As it stands he will probably miss our T20 game at Old Trafford on Friday then practise on Saturday with a view to playing at Worcester on Sunday.

“The next ten to 12 days are full on and Graham was never going to play in every game. We'll see how he comes through on Saturday.”

Lewis said he had worked with the left-handers on how to counter Durham's nemesis, Keith Barker, but added: “He's a very good new-ball bowler and Keaton Jennings, for example, edged two good balls to the slips.

“We could have played him better and Paul Collingwood found a way which others could perhaps have copied. Barker brings a particular challenge and batsmen have to work out their own way of dealing with it.

“Phil Mustard is working extremely hard on his batting. You have to believe that if you keep doing the right things your luck will change. He has to find the balance between trusting his instincts and having a plan. He just needs a bit of luck.”

Durham travelled back to the North-East after the game ahead of Friday's match at Old Trafford, with Lewis adding: “If we don't get home tonight we won't be home at all for two weeks.”