Durham Fight Back Against Warwickshire as Ben Raine Shines on Day Three

Lower-Order Frustrates of Warwickshire for Durham

The Bears resumed their first innings at 287 for eight on the third day of the Rothesay County Championship match between Durham and Warwickshire. Unbeatable on 50 overnight, Michael Booth persisted alongside Ethan Bamber to propel Warwickshire past the 300-run mark and guarantee a second batting bonus point, much to the delight of fans following the action closely on platforms like Billy777.

Although Durham's bowlers battled early on to break the partnership, Matthew Potts made the breakthrough when Bamber (21) edged one to Colin Ackermann at second slip. Soon after Scott Borthwick dismissed Vishwa Fernando for one, Warwickshire was left all out for 325—62 runs behind Durham's first-innings total.

Four-Wicket Haul Swings Momentum from Booth

Durham's openers Alex Lees and Ben McKinney started their second innings gently against Bamber and Fernando's tight bowling from a thin lead. Lees looked excellent, pushing two boundaries off Ed Barnard, but Booth's entrance transformed the game.

Lees LBW was trapped for 32, and the 24-year-old seamer removed Emilio Gay in the same fashion soon before lunch. Booth had Ollie Robinson caught at second slip by Rob Yates in his next over following the break, shattering two of Ackermann's stumps with a magnificent delivery.

Bamber then entered the attack, dismissing Will Rhodes LBW for 18, putting Durham in hot water at 101 for five. But Ben Raine and McKinney stabilized the ship; the latter carried on his steady form from the first innings.

Raine and Beningham Repair Durham's Lead

From the outset, Raine was aggressive, dragging Fernando for a boundary, but Warwickshire struck once more when McKinney (33) edged Barnard to wicketkeeper Kai Smith. Batting with a runner because of a toe injury, David Bedingham joined Raine and, despite his discomfort, performed some graceful strokes.

Raine first got his 20th First-Class half-century off 88 balls, then performed a creative ramp shot that surged to the boundary. Not bothered by his injury, Bedingham showed his class by smashing back-to-back fours off Booth.

Alex Davies dropped a catch that offered Raine a lifeline on 55, but Bamber finally removed Bedingham for 45 after spotting Dan Mousley at deep square Leg. Raine kept building the lead with Potts, who hit a great straight drive for four in spite of the setback.

Warwickshire: Face Challenge Pursues

Raine's effort stopped when he was trapped LBW by Yates for 81 while trying a sweep. Then Potts and Daniel Hogg contributed vital runs, both striking sixes to widen Durham's lead before the declaration came at 276 for eight, so establishing Warwickshire a target of 339.

Openers Rob Yates and Alex Davies gently negotiated the new ball with just four overs left in the day, finishing on 12 without loss. Durham will be depending on their spinners to win; Warwickshire will need a great batting performance on the last day to chase down the score.