DURHAM have recovered from 23 for two to reach 83 for two at lunch with Will Smith on 28 and Ben Stokes on 33.

Durham chose to bat on a bright morning, perhaps thinking they would have the best of the conditions as from this afternoon onwards showers are forecast for the rest of the week.

But the two men given the chance by injuries to push their claims for a regular place failed again. Mark Stoneman (7) and Gordon Muchall (0) both edged low to second slip, where Rikki Clarke made the catches look much easier than they were.

The two batsmen were pushing forward to balls which swung just enough to find the edge, but Stokes never appeared to be in any difficulty. He has pulled a couple of fours fiercely in front of mid-wicket and also played a delightful steer to the boundary between gully and backward point.

Like Ian Blackwell, Warwickshire’s out-of-form captain, Jim Troughton, was ruled out by a back spasm and replaced by England Under 19 all-rounder Tom Milnes, making his championship debut.

Varun Chopra, captaining the side for the first time, has tried five bowlers, including Milnes, who looks brisk rather than quick.

Durham brought in Chris Rushworth in place of Graham Onions in the only change from the team which lost to Lancashire.