Durham dig deep for a draw

ECB REPORTERS NETWORK SUPPORTED BY ROTHESAY

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CENTURIES from both Emilio Gay and Alex Lees, in a superb unbroken opening partnership of 262, made sure of a comfortable Rothesay County Championship draw for Durham against Surrey on day four at the Kia Oval.

Gay hit an unbeaten 156 while Lees followed up his first innings 125 with 100 not out - reaching his second hundred of the match with what proved to be the last ball before hands were shaken at 5pm - and Durham's successful rearguard action over the last seven sessions of the match owed much to the skill and stamina of their captain.

Lees and Gay's stand was a new Durham partnership record against Surrey for any wicket, beating 183 by Will Smith and Scott Borthwick at Chester-le-Street in 2013.

Durham began the day by turning their overnight 343 for nine into a final first innings total of 362, with an injured Ben Raine defying Surrey's bowlers for a further 7.1 overs.