Three for Finn but Durham dominate

Steven Finn took three wickets but Middlesex’s bowlers struggled in windy conditions on a day ended 11 balls early by flurry of snow.

Durham opener Mark Stoneman was the visitors’ tormentor-in-chief, enhancing his claims for England recognition by converting his 15th first-class century into an unbeaten 139.

Middlesex had failed to build on their overnight 358-7, losing their three remaining wickets for 31 runs.

Finn’s first four overs had gone for 30 but he broke an opening stand of 71 when Keaton Jennings (34) gloved an attempted pull to wicketkeeper John Simpson.

James Harris suddenly extracted extra bounce from a placid pitch to have Scott Borthwick (5) caught behind, but England Under-19 batsman Jack Burnham then aided Stoneman in a stand of 131.

Stoneman scored heavily through backward point but it was a glorious cover-drive off Toby Roland-Jones which took him to his 139-ball century.

Burnham, 19, also drove strongly until an over-ambitious one off Finn led to his downfall, lbw for 61, straight after tea.

Ben Stokes (9) managed one scorching drive through extra-cover off Finn before an attempted clip to leg off the back foot popped up a catch to mid-wicket.

Michael Richardson provided solid support for Stoneman in the final 24 overs, reaching 31 at the close.