Middlesex 11-2 trail Durham 259 by 248 runs
Middlesex shone with the ball once more but lost openers Chris Rogers and Sam Robson in the final overs of an intriguing opening day at Chester-Le-Street.
Corey Collymore, in for the absent Tim Murtagh, took full advantage of his recall with four wickets as title rivals Durham failed to capitalise on a strong start.
Keaton Jennings (38) and Scott Borthwick (52) led the home side to 108-1 and Phil Mustard scored 62 – but Collymore, James Harris and Gareth Berg took regular wickets to bowl Durham out for 259.
However, Rogers and Robson fell inside the first two overs of the reply as Middlesex closed on 11-2, still 248 behind.
The visitors took to the field without Murtagh – county cricket’s leading wicket taker so far this season – as he is in Dublin ahead of Ireland’s limited overs match against Pakistan on Thursday.
Middlesex elected to bowl first and the decision appeared to bear fruit early on as opener Mark Stoneman was caught behind off Collymore.
But Jennings and Borthwick delivered a fine response, guiding Durham to 100-1 at lunch and completing their century stand shortly after the interval.
However, the afternoon session definitely belonged to Middlesex. Berg broke the partnership when he had Borthwick caught behind and Jennings was trapped lbw by Collymore soon after as Durham were pegged back to 114-3.
Will Smith and Ben Stokes briefly sparked a middle order revival but it wasn’t long before Middlesex were among the wickets again, this time thanks to Harris.
The Welshman removed Stokes for 19 and then took the key wicket of Durham skipper Paul Collingwood second ball, leaving the home side on 149-5.
Smith was joined by Mustard and the pair put on 55 in 18 overs to swing the momentum back in their favour before Berg chipped in to remove Smith.
Mustard went on to score eight boundaries in his knock but he was given only token support from the lower order as Durham lost their final four wickets for 29, Collymore taking two in as many balls.
Harris ended the innings when he had Mustard caught by Toby Roland-Jones and Middlesex could feel satisfied with their efforts in the field.
Rogers and Robson had a tricky eight over spell to negotiate before the close – but any hopes they would still be at the crease in the morning were in tatters within 12 balls.
England paceman Graham Onions bowled Robson for a fourth ball duck and in the next over Rogers fell lbw to Callum Thorp.
Joe Denly and nightwatchman Tom Smith survived and they will look to rebuild the innings on Thursday.
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This post was last modified on 23/05/2013