Van Zyl brings up a very well taken half century fifth ball of the day. 51 off 102 balls.
They try and pepper Travis Head and van Zyl with short stuff. The pair of them take 13 off Matt Salisbury in response.
Head also makes the half century (52/68) and we are 170-2. Durham’s lead cut to only 7.
Van Zyl brings up his century 102 from 159 balls.
Sadly, Head gets trapped by Raine lbw for 63 almost straight afterwards. However, 220-3 and a lead – even a lead as paltry as 43 runs – is a big improvement on where we might have been.
At lunch we are 254-3 and lead by 77.
As we carry on, we move the score over 300 and take the lead to 143.
Rushworth brings van Zyl’s superb innings to an end lbw. The big South African can tell his story walking for 141. Its taken 241 balls, 21 fours and no sixes and – if we get anything from this game, it’ll be off the back of our skipper.
320-4
I’ve said some bad things about Ravi Bopara this season. All of them deserved.
However, this time he’s moved to 63 from 93 balls and been excellent.
While Bopara brings the sort of innings I’ve dreamt of from him all season, George Munsey comes in, moves smartly to 11 and gets bowled by Wood. 342-5, the lead 165.
Salisbury gets Bopara lbw for 72. It’s taken 106 balls, and I warmly shake the former England international by the hand. 348-6
A tea approaches, Rushworth moves one across Wiese and Beingham takes the catch at slip. 376-7, a lead of 199.
After tea, the same thing happens again, almost exactly. Except this time it’s Ben Brown doing the walk of shame for 14. 386-8
Claydon has lasted 33 balls and, once he reaches 13, Rushworth claims another wicket as Poynter takes the snick. 414-9, a lead of 237.
Will Beer plays one ball and chips it back to Rushworth for a dainty caught and bowled. All out for 414.
There’s an hour left of Day Three. Durham need to chase 238 to win.
Honours even.
Durham’s Second Innings:
They set off apace. Bancroft and Lees motor to 23 and 34 respectively.
They end Day Three on 63-0, a deficit of 176. Advantage Durham.
