DURHAM were spared the possibility of Keith Barker racing to his second century against them by rain at Edgbaston this morning.

It was due to clear in early afternoon, but with more rain forecast tomorrow Durham's only option will be to try to hang on for a draw.

They would certainly prefer to have rain here than at Worcester next week, where they will have a better chance of picking up their fourth win in the first six games.

When Barker resumes he will need only 14 to complete his sixth first-class century, having made his first against Durham four years ago.

Inbetween they were on the receiving end of his first ten-wicket match haul in 2012 and last year he took eight wickets in both meetings.

Barker has taken over the mantle of Dominic Cork, who is covering this match for Sky TV. In 465 first-class innings he made only eight centuries but three were against Durham, including his highest of 200 not out at Derby in 2000, which prompted the end of Nick Speak's captaincy.

Cork was also a regular wicket-taker, once cleaning up the tail at Derby as Durham snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Although Barker's figures suggest he does not perform as well against other counties, there have been suggestions that he is a better all-rounder than Chris Jordan and Durham will not be best pleased if Jordan keeps Mark Wood out of the England team this week.

They could certainly have done with Wood yesterday, although it was encouraging to see Graham Onions start to look more like his old self.

He said afterwards: “I've missed a lot of cricket and I need to be bowling regularly to get into my rhythm. It felt better after lunch yesterday and I need to take that forward.”