Close, day one: Durham 411-4 v Middlesex
Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick both scored big hundreds as Middlesex’s bowlers were carted round the ground at Chester-le-Street.
The pair put on 274 for the second wicket in 63 overs, making a mockery of Middlesex’s decision to put Durham into bat.
Stoneman was caught at leg slip for 187 but Borthwick stuck around until stumps, hitting 21 fours and a six in an unbeaten 164.
Middlesex took three wickets after tea but Durham closed on 411-4 having scored at more than four an over.
Having seen their match against Sussex last week washed out, Chris Rogers’ side will have been keen to get among the Durham top order having seen the coin fall their way.
However, the hosts dominated the first two sessions, reaching 140-1 by lunch and extending that to 300-1 at tea.
Toby Roland-Jones took Middlesex’s only wicket as he bowled Keaton Jennings for 16 after an opening stand of 82 in the first hour.
Stoneman was joined by Borthwick at 12.10pm and they were still batting more than four and a half hours later, smashing 48 boundaries between them.
One-day specialist Paul Stirling, in only his second County Championship appearance in four years at Middlesex, ended the partnership when he had Stoneman caught by Sam Robson.
Michael Richardson was run out for four but Borthwick then put on 45 with England tyro Ben Stokes, who made 23 before being castled by Steve Finn late in the day.
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This post was last modified on 02/06/2014