Match Centre

DAY THREE - CLOSE OF PLAY

RESULT - MIDDLESEX WIN BY 57 RUNS

Middlesex 121 & 355

Durham 310 & 109

Middlesex 19 points

Durham 6 points

Middlesex put forward an inspired bowling performance to ruin Paul Collingwood's final match for Durham, defeating the home side by 57 runs in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Emirates Riverside.

Dawid Malan's men added 100 runs to their total overnight total, despite losing a flurry of early wickets. Martin Andersson notched 34 valuable runs to guide his team into a lead of 167 as Mark Wood claimed a five-wicket haul to skittle out the tail.

Durham lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply as the Middlesex bowlers worked well as a unit to bowl the home side out for 109 to secure the victory, ending their season on a high note. Collingwood's final bow did not end in the victory the home side looked capable of producing on day one, but his effect on the county will not be easily forgotten.

The visitors began the day 255-2, but were to immediately lose Nick Gubbins, who was only able to add one to his overnight score of 90 before falling lbw to Chris Rushworth. The opener's dismissal spark a collapse of the middle order as Max Holden and Robbie White quickly followed him back to the pavilion, while Collingwood notched his second wicket of the innings when Dawid Malan clipped a delivery straight to Michael Richardson.

Andersson and James Harris offered resistance to take Middlesex's lead beyond the 100-run mark. However, their stand was ended when Harris was struck on the head by a bouncer from Barry McCarthy. Harris was removed from the field as per concussion protocol, and was later taken to hospital after it was confirmed that the bowler had indeed sustained a concussion.

Drama ensued on the pitch as there was deliberation on whether Middlesex could name Ollie Rayner as a replacement for Harris, despite not being a like-for-like replacement. Umpires Steve O'Shaugnessy and Michael Gough made the decision to allow Rayner to enter the field as the substitute. After the restart, Wood clean bowled Anderson for a solid knock of 34. The England man found his rhythm, racing in with speed from the Lumley End.

Wood cleaned up the tail to claim his second five-wicket haul of the season. His pace was too much for James Fuller to handle, returning a simple catch to the bowler. The 28-year-old bowled Rayner before Murtagh was caught by Rushworth, wrapping up the Middlesex innings for 355 and a lead of 166.

Alex Lees made quick runs at the start of the innings, but his knock came to an end on 22 when he was adjudged lbw to Murtagh. Gareth Harte and Michael Richardson were unable to provide the resistance needed, both edging behind to Robbie White. Collingwood came to the crease for his final innings. He made 10 before Andersson's short delivery failed to rise off the pitch and bounced under Collingwood's bat to end the 42-year-old's last innings at the crease.

The pressure appeared to be getting to the home side, resulting in the suicidal run out of Ryan Davies. Cameron Steel played a patient knock of 23 from 104 deliveries, but he fell edging Ethan Bamber to Rayner at second slip. Durham's lower order collapsed as Wood and Matt Salisbury fell without troubling the scorers.

Stuart Poynter was undone by the low bounce from a Murtagh delivery to put the visitors on the brink. Fuller claimed the final wicket when Rushworth chipped into the deep and was caught by Gubbins, allowing Middlesex to successfuly spoil Collingwood's final act at Emirates Riverside.

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DAY THREE - TEA

Middlesex 355 all out

Durham need 167 runs to beat Middlesex to send Paul Collingwood off in style in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Emirates Riverside.

Resuming on 316-6, drama occurred after the lunch break when James Harris was struck by a Barry McCarthy delivery, forcing him to leave the field. Harris was confirmed to have sustained concussion and after much deliberation with the umpire, Middlesex were allowed to replace the bowler with Ollie Rayner as per ECB regulations regarding concussion protocol.

James Fuller joined Andersson at the crease, but the latter was bowled by Mark Wood for a decent knock of 34. Wood was in rhythm and bowling with pace which proved to be too much for Fuller, who fended the ball straight back to the England man.

Wood's speed was the undoing of Rayner, bowling the substitute for two. The 28-year-old claimed his second five-wicket haul of the season, ending the Middlesex innings for 355 when Murtagh chipped to Chris Rushworth.

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DAY THREE - LUNCH

Middlesex 316/6

Middlesex have continued to defy Durham's hopes of victory in the morning session of day three of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Emirates Riverside.

Durham made immediate inroads in the early stages, removing Nick Gubbins lbw for 91, who added just a single to his overnight score. Chris Rushworth claimed the scalp, notching his 400th wicket in the County Championship. Mark Wood maintained the pressure on the visitors and was rewarded when Max Holden edged behind to Alex Lees at second slip.

Robbie White failed to make an impact at the crease once again as Rushworth broke through his defences, while Paul Collingwood claimed the scalp of Dawid Malan for 43 to leave Middlesex in trouble at 270-6 with a lead of only 81.

Martin Andersson staved off the threat of the Durham attack with the ball, extending the visitors' advantage over the 100-run mark. He combined with James Harris to produce a stand of 46, although Harris was given a life just before the lunch break when he was dropped at slip by Collingwood. At the interval, Middlesex were 316-6, holding a lead of 127 runs.

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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY

Middlesex 255/2

Middlesex have threatened to spoil Paul Collingwood's swansong at the Emirates Riverside with a spirited fightback on day two of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash against Durham.

The home side boasted a lead of 106 at the start of the day, and through Gareth Harte they were able to extend their advantage. He notched his second century of the campaign before Durham were dismissed for 310, leaving the visitors with plenty of work ahead of them to remain in the game.

Middlesex were able to haul themselves back into the contest courtesy of a fine partnership between Nick Gubbins and Stevie Eskinazi, eradicating the hosts' lead and handing Dawid Malan's men an advantage of 66 runs going into the third day.

Durham resumed on their overnight total of 227-5, but were pegged back when Stuart Poynter edged Ethan Bamber behind to Robbie White for 26. Harte kept Durham moving to secure their second batting point, while Mark Wood and Barry McCarthy offered support to the 25-year-old. The batsman notched the second first-class century of his career, reaching the milestone in 196 deliveries, scoring his ninth boundary to get over the line.

Harte fell two short of his career best made earlier in the campaign against Derbyshire. Tim Murtagh wrapped up the final two wickets, claiming figures of 4-56, although Durham's first first-innings score of over 300 at home this term handed Collingwood's side a more than healthy lead of 189 runs.

Middlesex needed to display character in their second innings. Sam Robson and Gubbins dug in the early stages to see off the threat of the new ball. Collingwood introduced himself into the attack and his arrival broke the partnership after the opening pair had passed fifty together. The Durham skipper nipped one back to clean bowl Robson for 36.

Gubbins joined by Eskinazi, who managed to return to the field after being struck in the head on day one, continued to defy the home side, displaying patience at the crease. Gubbins' composure paid off as he reached his half-century off 135 deliveries, scoring eight boundaries in the process. The duo whittled down Durham's advantage to less than fifty as Eskinazi found a rhythm, reeling off back-to-back fours to notch his fifty.

The two Middlesex batsman frustrated the home side's bowling attack, bringing up their 100-run partnership in 178 deliveries all but eradicating the deficit. Eskinazi began to up the ante to move his way into the nineties, putting his side into the lead, although he was given a life when dropped by Cameron Steel at point. However, Eskinazi fell four short of his ton, clipping straight to Collingwood at mid-wicket, breaking the stand of 159 with Gubbins.

Malan added quick runs towards the close, edging his side's lead over the 60-run mark. Gubbins was unbeaten on 90 with Middlesex in the ascendancy heading into the third day of the contest with eight wickets remaining in their second innings.

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DAY TWO - TEA

Middlesex 104/1

Middlesex displayed resilience at the crease to keep themselves in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash against Durham, although they still have plenty of work ahead of them at Emirates Riverside.

The visitors were in need of a response from their openers and Nick Gubbins and Sam Robson were able to see off the threat of the new ball, giving particular attention to Matt Salisbury, putting together a stand of fifty.

Paul Collingwood introduced himself into the attack to break the partnership of 56. The Durham skipper nipped one back between Robson's bat and pad to bowl the opener for 36.

Gubbins joined by Stevie Eskinazi edged their side over the 100-run mark, whittling down the home side's advantage to 85 runs at the tea interval.

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DAY TWO - LUNCH

Durham 310 all out

Middlesex 5/0

Gareth Harte scored his second County Championship hundred of the season to put Durham in command of their clash against Middlesex at Emirates Riverside.

Harte resumed on 76 not out, although he lost his overnight partner Stuart Poynter in the first over of the day, knicking an Ethan Bamber delivery behind to Robbie White for 26. Mark Wood and Barry McCarthy hung around with Hart, allowing the 25-year-old to reach three figures off 196 balls, scoring nine boundaries in the process.

Harte's innings allowed Durham to pass 300 runs in their first innings for the first time at home this season, although he fell for 112 to Murtagh edging behind. Chris Rushworth was dismissed first ball as Murtagh ended with figures of 4-56, bowling the home side out for 310 and a lead of 189.

Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins saw off the solitary over before lunch, scoring five runs, leaving their side trailing by 184.

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DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY

Durham 227/5

Durham have made the perfect start to Paul Collingwood's final match, producing a strong performance to lead Middlesex by 106 runs on day one of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash at Emirates Riverside.

Coach Jon Lewis demanded that his players put in a display to reflect the career of the former England all-rounder to respond from their humiliating defeat at the hands of Leicestershire last week. Matt Salisbury rose to the occasion with the ball, claiming his best figures in first-class cricket of 6-37 to bowl out the visitors for 121.

Gareth Harte and Michael Richardson made fifties to lead the way with the bat as Durham bounced back from their abject efforts from Grace Road. Collingwood's hopes of ending his career in style were dashed when he was dismissed for 32, although Harte was there at the close unbeaten on 76 with the home side ending the day 227-5.

Middlesex made the curious choice to bat on a chilly September morning at Chester-le-Street, allowing Collingwood to receive a guard of honour from his team-mates. Nick Gubbins and Sam Robson made a decent start scoring 32 off the first seven overs. However, Salisbury made the breakthrough, producing a fine delivery to take Gubbins' edge behind to Stuart Poynter for 19. The 25-year-old displayed a good rhythm after an underwhelming first over and he notched his second wicket of the morning by trapping Robson lbw.

Chris Rushworth beat the bat several times before being rewarded with the scalp of Middlesex captain Dawid Malan. Salisbury kept bounding in with menace with almost every delivery, accounting for the wickets of Stevie Eskinazi and Robbie White. Mark Wood put Durham in control with the wickets of Max Holden and James Harris.

Durham wrapped up the tail in just 16 deliveries at the start of the second session. Salisbury struck twice in the same to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, dismissing James Fuller courtesy of a bizarre stroke along with Ethan Bamber. Wood wrapped up the innings when he bowled Tim Murtagh, claiming his third wicket of the day.

The home side needed a response with the bat after being skittled twice in the sixties in their humiliating defeat at the hands of Leicestershire at Grace Road. Cameron Steel and Alex Lees were composed in the early stages, although both openers were out after making starts as Murtagh and Harris made inroads.

Harte and Richardson held firm at the crease, guiding Durham past Middlesex's first innings total. Richardson past fifty for the second time of the campaign, reaching the milestone off 67 balls, including six fours. However, he was unable to kick on as Murtagh struck to break the partnership of 89.

Richardson's dismissal brought the arrival of Collingwood, who received his second guard of honour of the day - this time from the visiting side. Harte eased the pressure on his skipper playing two fine strokes to reach his fifty off 98 balls.

Collingwood was dropped on nine by Eskinazi, who took a blow to the face in the process, forcing him to exit the field. The Durham skipper played a couple of crisp drives through the covers before he fell for 32 to Bamber - leaving the crease at the Riverside for potentially the final time.

Harte continued his innings unbeaten with Poynter at the end, with Durham boasting a healthy lead of 106 runs at the close.

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DAY ONE - TEA

Middlesex 121 all out

Durham 128/2

Durham are in a strong position on day one of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match against Middlesex courtesy of career-best bowling figures of 6-37 from seamer Matt Salisbury at Emirates Riverside.

Resuming on 113-7, the visitors were penned back further Salisbury struck in the second over after lunch aided by a bizarre stroke from James Fuller, who charged down the wicket and was clean bowled, allowing the 25-year-old to claim his maiden five-wicket haul. He notched his sixth strike at the end of the over, removing Ethan Bamber lbw. Mark Wood finished off the innings for 121, bowling Tim Murtagh for a duck.

Durham were in need of a response with the bat following their humiliating efforts at Leicestershire. Cameron Steel and Alex Lees put on 39 for the first wicket, but Murtagh nipped one back to trap the latter lbw for 25. Harris found movement off the seam to remove Steel for 21 as the visitors made inroads. Gareth Harte and Michael Richardson held firm with an unbeaten partnership of 81, guiding the home side beyond Middlesex's first innings total before the tea break.

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DAY ONE - LUNCH

Middlesex 113/7

Matt Salisbury claimed four wickets for Durham in the morning session to reduce Middlesex to 113-7 in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match on day one at Emirates Riverside.

Middlesex won the toss and made the decision to bat first on a chilly September morning. After a decent start to their innings the visitors lost their first wicket when Salisbury produced a fine delivery to dismiss Nick Gubbins, who edged behind to Stuart Poynter for 19. He continued a fine of spell of bowling, trapping Sam Robson lbw for nine.

Chris Rushworth beat the bat a number of times without reward in his opening six overs. However, he made the breakthrough when Dawid Malan edged on to his own stumps, attempting to guide the ball down to third man. Stevie Eskinazi hung around with a decent knock of 19 before he became Salisbury's third victim of the morning session.

Salisbury sent Robbie White back to the pavilion after just four deliveries, while Mark Wood only had to wait until the start of his second over to remove Max Holden. James Harris offered resistance, top scoring with an innings of 31, but he fell on the stroke of lunch for 31, leaving his side seven down.

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