Onions sizzles to put Dexter in the shade
Durham 259 & 37-0 lead Middlesex 196 by 100 runs
Neil Dexter’s half century salvaged Middlesex from the rubble of a ruinous top order collapse but not even a late flourish could prevent a large first innings deficit.
On a second day punctuated by rain breaks, the visitors collapsed to 35-5 just after lunch, with England paceman Graham Onions on top form, and facing the real possibility of following on.
But Dexter and John Simpson put on 68 for the sixth wicket to avert the immediate danger and dogged batting from James Harris (37) and Toby Roland-Jones (19) made the final total of 196 more respectable.
However, Durham’s openers came through the closing 11 overs without losing a wicket and will begin day three on 37-0 – a very healthy lead of 100.
Poor weather at Chester-le-Street delayed the start by around 50 minutes but play eventually got underway with Middlesex on 11-2, having lost openers Chris Rogers and Sam Robson late on Wednesday.
Joe Denly survived an early caught and bowled chance but it proved a mere stay of execution as he became Onions’ second victim.
After a brief break for drizzle, Onions – who took 10 wickets for Durham at Lord’s last year – continued his taste for Middlesex batsman when he trapped Dawid Malan lbw for 0.
That left the visitors at 31-4 at lunch, with nightwatchman Tom Smith still digging in on 17 not out.
His vigilance was ended, however, not long after the interval, dislodged by Ben Stokes, and Middlesex looked in dire straits at 35-5, still 74 short of avoiding the follow-on.
Two more rain delays served only to disrupt Durham’s rhythm, though, and Dexter and Simpson took full advantage to launch a rescue mission.
Simpson hit eight fours in an innings of 42 which took Middlesex past the 100 mark, with Dexter left trailing in his wake.
But the wicket-keeper was out off a top edge to a ball from Onions, who also removed Gareth Berg cheaply just after tea to claim his fifth wicket.
Dexter shared a stand of 32 with Harris and in doing so moved along relatively serenely to his 50 – however, he was out soon afterwards to leave Middlesex on 151-8.
Durham’s hopes of a three-figure lead were ruined by some measured batting by Harris and Roland-Jones.
They scored six boundaries between them in a useful partnership of 45, before both were quickly dismissed as Middlesex were bowled out for 196.
With 11 overs still to bowl, Middlesex needed to emulate Durham’s two late wickets on Wednesday evening to force themselves back into contention.
But Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings survived, with the former scoring 31 from 34 balls to take Durham’s lead to 100 before stumps.
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
