WILL Smith was on 99 as Durham reached tea on 234 for three at Edgbaston, ensuring that Durham will shortly face an even bigger selection dilemma.

Mark Stoneman has recovered from the broken hand he suffered in the first match, opening the door for Smith, and Paul Collingwood should be available as from next week.

Smith had a top score of 44 in his four matches last season before losing the captaincy and his previous best this season was 66 at home to Warwickshire.

Although he has played his part in several good opening stands, he came into this match averaging 27.4, which would not have been enough to cement his place.

He concentrated on survival as Durham slipped to 127 for three, but there ten fours in his 129-ball 50 and he hit a further seven before the interval. Most were off the back foot in front of square on both sides of the wicket.

Ben Stokes moved easily to 33 off 43 balls before he clipped Boyd Rankin into the hands of mid-wicket.

But, despite seeing less than half of much of the strike as Smith, Dale Benkenstein contributed 42 to the unbroken stand of 107.