Red Rose withering

posted by John Winn

On my way to The Riverside for the third day of the match between Durham and Lancashire this morning I was pleased to bump into fellow blogger, Tony Hutton, at Durham bus station. There were a number of other cricket watchers catching the bus to Chester-le Street and Stokes and Benkenstein were just resuming Durham's first innings as we walked into the ground. The pair made smooth progress until lunchtime by which time Durham had a lead of ninety runs.
Most interest in the afternoon centred on whether the partnership would eclipse Durham's biggest ever stand in first class cricket, set by Stuart Hutton and Mike Roseberry against Oxford University in The Parks in 1996. This was an unbeaten 334 and it was a surprise when Benkenstein was dismissed when the pair were just three short of this figure.
Stokes went on to reach his highest score in first class cricket(185)when, attempting to repeat an enormous six over the pavilion, he was bowled by Croft.
Durham's innings meandered a little after this, not helped by some negative bowling by Lancashire which tested the umpires' interpretation of what constitutes a wide.
I left at tea and was rather surprised to find Durham had batted on, until when Mustard was dismissed for 61 at almost a run per ball,they were all out for 586,a lead of 273. In losing his wicket Mustard reduced his average from 152.5 to 122, perhaps he wishes he had declared.
There had been rumours during the day that Onions might be called away by England to join the squad for Friday's test at Lord's but when the news broke that the selectors had gone for Jade Winston Dernbach of Surrey and Onions was spotted on the players' balcony it was obvious that Sri Lanka's gain was Lancashire's loss. By close of play Lancashire had lost three wickets and find themselves still 204 behind. A situation which will probably see this blogger on the 9:32 from York tomorrow morning.
Just a couple of points about England's squad of twelve for the second test: 50% were born overseas and more than 50%, if they played in the championship, would be in the second divison. After the startling events at Cardiff yesterday afternoon Sri Lanka must be pleased we don't put out the first team.