Durham face race to beat the rain

DURHAM will hope the threat of fourth afternoon wet weather does not ruin their chances of claiming a Rothesay County Championship victory over Yorkshire at the Banks Home Riverside.

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Yorkshire can lay claim to having the better of day three thanks to taking the last nine first-innings wickets for 126 through until early afternoon, limiting the hosts to 427 all out in reply to 307.

Alex Lees was removed for a standout 172 and Emilio Gay for an excellent 152.

New-ball seamer Jack White led the way with three wickets, but all five of the county's quicks struck, including New Zealand overseas debutant Ben Sears.

However, Durham chipped away at the second-innings wickets on a slow pitch, restricting Yorkshire to 132 for four from 59 overs at close. Their lead is only 12.

Former England Test opener Adam Lyth reached 15,000 first-class career runs amidst a patient 53 in the Chester-le-Street sunshine, while Ben Raine and Matthew Potts struck twice apiece.

Lees and Gay, who faced 240 and 239 balls respectively, completed a record second-wicket partnership of 279their county's highest recorded for that particular wicket in first-class cricket.