Lancs in search of early wickets

CRICKET:

LANCASHIRE were chasing early wickets on day three of their LV= County Championship clash at Durham.

The hosts resumed on 279 for three, 34 runs behind the Red Rose county’s first innings total of 313.

Ben Stokes hit the last ball of the day for four to complete his third century of the season as his unbroken stand of 185 with Dale Benkenstein put Durham in charge at Chester–le–Street.

It was the third time this season the pair had shared a century stand and it tipped the balance in Durham’s favour in the clash of the top two.

Stokes played with great maturity as both batsmen reached 50 off 94 balls, Benkenstein’s half–century being his eighth in 12 innings as he closed on 67.

The junior partner enjoyed a two slices of fortune, though. On 55 he got an inside edge for four off Royton professional Luke Procter which just missed his stumps, then on 84 he survived a sharp chance to Paul Horton at slip off Gary Keedy.

A brief stoppage for bad light seemed to have done Durham no favours as within two overs of the restart they slipped from 90 for one to 94 for three.

Gordon Muchall, who rode his luck against Procter, completed his sixth championship half–century of the season before falling lbw for 54 when only half forward to Tom Smith.

Earlier Will Smith departed for 30 when he drove wide of the off stump at Procter and edged to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross.

The other wicket to fall was that of Michael Di Venuto, who was caught behind in the third over off Glen Chapple.