Middlesex hit back after dramatic collapse

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Close, day three: Durham 294 & 24-2 trail Middlesex 463 & 89 by 234 runs

A remarkable 18 wickets fell on a dramatic third day at Lord’s which ended with Middlesex fighting back after a nightmare afternoon.

Momentum swung back and forth throughout, with the hosts bowling Durham out for 294, giving them a first innings lead of 169.

Middlesex opted not to enforce the follow-on however and incredibly ended up being skittled for just 89.

That set Durham a target of 259 but they lost both openers in the final eight overs of a truncated day to give Middlesex the upper hand.

Few could have predicted the action that lay ahead as Durham added 72 to their overnight score in the first hour and 40 minutes.

But just before lunch, Ollie Rayner picked up nightwatchman Chris Rushworth for 40 and Adam Voges ended Keaton Jennings knock for 98.

Paul Collingwood ended unbeaten on 38 but he saw wickets fall at the other end after the interval, with James Harris (4-69) wrapping things up to put Middlesex in a seemingly commanding position.

They chose to give their bowlers a rest, but the Durham attack made a mockery of the decision as Middlesex slumped to 37-7.

Only Sam Robson (17) made it into double figures until a last-wicket stand of 39 between Steven Finn (15) and Tim Murtagh (22 not out) prevented complete meltdown.

Murtagh’s knock was even more impressive given that he has been unable to bowl due to a hamstring injury picked up on Sunday.

Had Durham come through the final overs unscathed they would have been firm favourites, but Harris’s breakthroughs leave the match nicely poised going into the final day.

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