Durham 393 for 9 (Clark 100, de Leede 65, Borthwick 53) vs Gloucestershire
Graham Clark scored his first hundred in six years to place Second Division leaders Durham in management on the opening day of the LV=County Championship match in opposition to Gloucestershire on the Seat Distinctive Stadium in Bristol.
Encountering a flat pitch and batter-friendly climate for the primary time this season, the guests received the toss and ran up 393 for 9 by the shut, thanks largely to an outstanding partnership of 124 in 34.4 overs for the sixth wicket between Clark and Bas de Leede. There was additionally a half century for captain Scott Borthwick, whereas opener Alex Lees and in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Robinson contributed 41 and 40 respectively.
A Gloucestershire aspect disadvantaged by way of harm of captain Graeme van Buuren, skilled strike bowler Service provider de Lange and main wicket-taker Tom Worth fought arduous all through, chipping away on the prime and center order and making Durham graft for his or her runs on a usually gradual Bristol pitch. Gradual left armer Zafar Gohar claimed 4 for 104 and seamer Ajeet Singh Dale 2 for 73 because the hosts caught to their activity manfully.
However the guests ultimately took management within the last session, Clark elevating precisely 100 from 155 balls, with 13 fours and a six, and de Leede, making solely his third first-class look, registering a Championship-best rating of 65 to place their aspect in credit score.
Prime of the desk after three wins from 5 video games and brimful of confidence, Durham have gained a popularity for taking part in ‘Bazball’ type cricket this season. However they had been made to suppose twice by Singh Dale, who has placed on a yard of tempo over the winter.
Bending his again and summoning no little bounce and motion off the seam, he accounted for Michael Jones within the third over, the Scottish batsmen failing to supply a shot and looking out again in horror as off and center stumps had been dislodged. It was removed from plain crusing for the guests and Borthwick was handed a life on 20 when edging debutant Zaman Akhter to second slip the place the normally dependable Chris Dent allowed alternative to slide by way of his fingers. He then survived a assured lbw enchantment from the identical bowler as Gloucestershire’s…
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