Jonathan Trott holds firm in reminder of skills that will be missed

Warwickshire 184 for 6 (Trott 67*) v Durham
Scorecard

Jonathan Trott, in his penultimate match at Edgbaston, held Warwickshire together with batting of high class on a truncated first day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Durham.

Warwickshire closed a day stripped of 12 overs by rain and bad light on 184 for 6 with Trott unbeaten on 67 - a patient and skilful innings in testing batting conditions.

After early-morning rain and a wet outfield prevented play before lunch, batting was never easy with moisture in the air under a canopy of thick cloud and with the floodlights on. Those conditions were exploited by Durham's seamers who were rotated at one end while, curiously, left-arm spinner Axar Patel was left to wheel away, spearing the ball in without looking particularly threatening, from the other.

Warwickshire were deeply indebted to Trott who reached the crease at 47 for 2 and stayed firm while middle-order partners came and went.

After taking up the option to bowl first, Durham struck with the 18th ball of the day when Dominic Sibley edged Chris Rushworth to third slip. Will Rhodes and Ian Bell added 38 in 12 overs before Barry McCarthy came on from the Pavilion End and removed Bell lbw with his fifth ball.

Rhodes applied himself with customary diligence for 105 minutes to reach 36 then perished when he turned spinner Patel off the face of the bat to short leg.

McCarthy struck again when Sam Hain edged to wicketkeeper Stuart Poynton, a wicket which left Warwickshire uneasily perched on 100 for 4 at tea. That became 114 for 5 when Tim Ambrose went back to a full-length ball from Rushworth which hit middle and off.

Trott reached his half-century from 115 balls with his ninth four, cut off a short delivery from Patel, in a partnership of 36 in 16 overs with Keith Barker before the latter fell to a fine catch at second slip by Alex Lees off Matt Salisbury.

Trott remained resolute though to ensure that the Division One leaders have power to add tomorrow as they seek a third successive win to keep the pressure on challengers Kent and Sussex in the promotion race.