CENTURION Ed Barnard admitted he was ‘speechless’ after Warwickshire completed a dramatic one-wicket win over Durham in their County Championship Division One match at Chester-le-Street.
Barnard’s hundred century, helped by vital innings from Kai Smith and Michael Booth, inspired the Bears who were chasing 339 to win.
It was a memorable victory, and Barnard told Warwickshire’s official website: “It’s incredible really, I’m pretty speechless right now.
“That 45 minutes to an hour was as tense as it gets really.
“Both teams, they played brilliantly and put their heart out there. I think the way the Durham lads bowled out was outstanding. Again, Boothy and Ethan Bamber have been outstanding,
“Boothy’s really stepping up. We’ve seen glimpses of it over the last year and to put in a performance like that is a really good sign for him and us moving forward.
“One thing we’re massive at is bringing through the young players. We had four debutants I think, last week, so everyone knows there’s a bit of change going on.
“We’ve got some serious talent coming through and I think Kai proved that in both his innings, both were exceptional.
“Taz has done a brilliant job as a spinner and early season, it’s never easy. He’s kept the run rate there and he’s taken his wickets as well so he’s going to be a huge asset for us moving forward. It’s really good signs for us.
“It was pretty horrible to get out like that. We were on top at that point as well, we felt like we’d quietened them down.
“But it’s cricket, it’s the way it happens, it’s sport and that’s why we love it. Luckily we got over the line and it doesn’t really matter now.”
After the early loss of Rob Yates, skipper Alex Davies looked in good touch for his 50, but his departure sparked a mini-collapse before lunch.
Four wickets went down for nine runs in seven overs at the hands of Ben Raine and Matthew Potts.
England paceman Potts got the key wicket of Sam Hain, edging behind to Ollie Robinson and he struck again next ball when another of the
Bears’ England men Dan Mousley chipped one straight to Dan Hogg at mid-wicket.
Barnard put the hat-trick ball away for a single but Durham continued to run through Warwickshire’s top order, as Raine got his third with the last ball before lunch when Hamza Shaikh edged behind to Robinson for 23.
However, Warwickshire had the perfect blend of experience and youth in the form of Smith and Barnard, who combined brilliantly for a partnership worth 147 to take the wind out of Durham’s sails.
Raine removed Smith before the Bears survived run-out mix-up when former Bears skippr Will Rhodes’ throw went to the wrong end – but there was still another twist as Brendan Doggett orchestrated a fightback.
Barnard got to his ton, only to depart next ball, with 54 still needed, caught down the leg side off Doggett, who then had Taz Ali caught behind.
Booth was then bowled by Potts for a valiant 40 but, still needing 15 to win, Ethan Bamber and Vishwa Fernando remained calm and composed to see the visitors over the line.
And Bamber finished it with a theatrical flourish, smashing a six down the ground off Raine.
• Warwickshire are back in action on Good Friday when they start their home game with Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston.
• Additional reporting from BBC Sport.
