RIVERSIDE

(day two of four)

Durham 280-3 (W Smith 144 no, D Benkenstein 61 no) v Lancashire

Lunch

It was a rare fine morning at the Riverside, but frustratingly the only activity on the ground was the mopping up of the previous evening's rain. An early lunch was taken, at 12 noon, with a planned start at 12.40. With time rapidly being lost, and a bad forecast for the rest of the match, the arguments for getting on and playing, despite a soft outfield, were compelling - but, as so often, outweighed by caution.

Tea

With Lancashire's bowlers showing much more discipline than yesterday, and with Durham determined to progress safely, a state of near attrition emerged. Dale Benkenstein, the captain, made just eight in an hour and appeared to be searching for form. But Will Smith cheered the faithful with two pulled fours in an over from a disgruntled Dominic Cork, who was desperately trying to make something happen.

Finally, Oliver Newby injected some life into the attack, swinging the ball away and nipping in back sharply enough to get two inside edges from Smith - which, however, moved him closer to his hundred. He got there with a quick paddle against the leg-spin of Francois Du Plessis. It had been, again, a mentally strong innings, taking 217 balls and delivering Smith's third century of the season - while two other batsmen have made just one each.

In the process Durham reached their first batting point for nearly two months. They had approached it as if it was a lost oasis.

Close

Play had barely resumed after tea when a prolonged shower threatened to end it for the day, but eventually a final nine overs was possible. Still Lancashire could not make a breakthrough, and the only question that remained was if, should the weather prevent any more play in the match, Durham had pressed hard enough to secure all possible bonus points. At least the two batsmen had the satisfaction that their unbroken stand, worth 184, was a record for Durham against Lancashire.