Murtagh worry as Middlesex stay on top

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Close, day two: Durham 157-4 trail Middlesex 463 by 306 runs

Paceman Tim Murtagh suffered a suspected hamstring injury as Middlesex maintained their grip on the match at Lord’s.

The 33-year-old, who missed Ireland’s World Cup campaign through injury, pulled up after two balls of Durham’s first innings.

Earlier, John Simpson’s half-century and Neil Dexter’s 33 helepd take Middlesex from 329-4 overnight to 463.

James Harris then took two wickets in Durham’s reply as only Keaton Jennings (61 not out) made a notable contribution.

After rain delayed the start of the second day, Durham quickly removed James Franklin and nightwatchman Harris but Dexter and Simpson survived until lunch.

They added 58 for the seventh wicket before Dexter was caught on the hook off John Hastings.

Simpson and Ollie Rayner put on a further 41 before the wicket-keeper was last man out for 58.

Murtagh bowled just two balls before feeling his hamstring and leaving the field, with Durham reaching tea on 35-0.

But Middlesex took regular wickets in the evening session as Mark Stoneman (21), Scott Borthwick (26), Michael Richardson (26) and Calum MacLeod failed to build on starts.

Borthwick remained unbeaten with veteran skipper Paul Collingwood yet to bat.

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