It’s fair to say that the third innings was the turning point with Warwickshire under pressure to repeat their first innings batting performance and it’s during this innings that Durham turned the game around, “The third innings can be a tricky one, especially when you’re bowling so we recognised that we were potentially in a position to change the game” said Benkenstein.
“Our first innings was a great effort which set up the third innings where they were under a bit of pressure so it was only their game to lose in a way. They were under pressure to bat properly.
“The wicket looked it was getting slower but with a bit of cloud cover it actually quickened up on the last day but to have the left arm spinner and the leg-spinner was the difference. The seamers all looked dangerous at times but it’s great that we have the variation in our attack.
“We had to get the balance right between attacking but not attacking too much that we gave away runs.
“We bowled well today and I think that as Scott Borthwick gains more confidence he will become a force in any innings.”
Scott Borthwick added “It was a massive win, a massive pat on the back for a great team performance, a fantastic win for the lads. I’m obviously pleased to get some wickets and runs but I think that partnership between Dale Benkenstein and Ian Blackwell won us the game really. They got us past three fifty and that let me join Blackie to push us past the target in the first innings.
“In the second innings me and Smudger (Will Smith) were just going to take it easy because we had time to get the runs. I definitely didn’t mind not getting to fifty – I just wanted us to get the win!
“It’s my best performance in Championship cricket so hopefully there is more of the same to come.”