Tahir on form but Durham take control

CHAMPIONSHIP ONE: Spinner Imran Tahir took eight wickets but Durham were still able to pile up 379 to seize the upper hand after day two of their County Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Tahir finished with figures of 8-114 from 30.3 overs but was the only potent bowler in the Warwickshire attack, and Durham were able to make steady progress before removing home opener Darren Maddy for a duck before the close.

Overnight pair Mark Stoneman and Gordon Muchall had combined in a 153-run stand for Durham's second wicket.

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Muchall was first to go when he was trapped lbw for 60 and Stoneman followed soon after when he was stumped after reaching 77.

Both wickets went to Tahir, who struck again on the stroke of lunch when Ian Blackwell offered a catch to Maddy and fell for a duck, leaving the reigning First Division champions on 176-4.

Captain Phil Mustard then hit his first century since taking on the job, exactly 100, and Liam Plunkett weighed in with a useful 41.

Mustard became Tahir and Warwickshire's final victim, holing out on the leg side immediately after reaching his third first-class hundred with his second six.

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Essex recovered from 130-5 to post 329 against second-placed Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, largely thanks to the impressive Mark Pettini who ground out an innings of 96. James Foster also contributed 59, while Steven Mullaney took four wickets.

Nottinghamshire made an unhappy start in their reply, with opener Alex Hales and nightwatchman Darren Pattinson both removed during a superb four-over spell from David Masters as the hosts reached the close on 33-2.

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