James runs up a century to put Notts in command

MONTGOMERY ALSO ADDS 75 AS VISITORS THREE DOWN IN REPLY

- ECB REPORTERS NETWORK SUPPORTED BY ROTHESAY

ALL-ROUNDER Lyndon James led the way with a superb 125 as Nottinghamshire took advantage of a benign batting surface to build a 201-run first innings lead over Durham, who were still 87 behind on 114 for three, with Colin Ackermann 45 not out at the close of day three of their Rothesay County Championship seasonopener at Trent Bridge.

James was backed up by Matt Montgomery's 75 and fast bowler Josh Tongue's career-best 55 in a Nottinghamshire total of 579 - their biggest since returning to Division One in 2023. They built on the earlier efforts of Ben Slater (92) and Freddie McCann (79) to enable a handsome Nottinghamshire overhaul of Durham's 378 on another day of unbroken sunshine in the East Midlands.