Rain wrecks pivotal day’s play at Durham

Durham 259 & 89-1 lead Middlesex 196 by 152 runs

James Harris picked up a wicket in the 18 overs bowled at Chester-le-Street as rain wiped out most of the third day.

With the match intriguingly poised, what could have been a pivotal day’s play was ruined by heavy showers.

Durham added 52 runs to their overnight lead of 100 but Harris was at least able to give Middlesex something to celebrate when he trapped Mark Stoneman for 50.

They couldn’t take any more wickets in what little play was possible but with the weather set fair for Saturday, both sides will fancy their chances of forcing a result.

Continuous rain on Friday meant play did not begin until 4.15pm and only five overs were bowled before the weather intervened once more.

After a near 45 minute delay, the players returned and Stoneman celebrated his half century, coming off just 56 balls.

However, Harris had him lbw the very next ball to leave Durham on 68-1.

Scott Borthwick joined Keaton Jennings at the crease and they kept the scoreboard ticking over slowly in the face of some economical bowling.

Bad light eventually forced play to be abandoned for the day as Durham closed on 89-1, a lead of 152.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook