Sandhu torments Durham as match drifts towards draw

DEBUTANT Gurinder Sandhu starred for Sussex on day three of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Durham, but the match is edging towards a draw after a mix of rain and bad light caused play to end early at Banks Homes Riverside.

- ECB REPORTERS NETWORK SUPPORTED BY ROTHESAY

Durham had a tough morning with Australian Sandhu (5/83) as chief tormentor, picking up a five-wicket haul on debut as Durham lost their final four wickets for 26 runs to leave them on 327, a first innings deficit of 34.

Durham bounced back through Matthew Potts after lunch to put Sussex under pressure at 27 for three, but James Coles was once again a thorn in the home team's side as he led a Sussex recovery with another fifty.

After several disruptions because of rain and bad light, play finished early with Sussex on 111 for four at close, 145 runs ahead.

Resuming on 249 for five, it was Graham Clark and Bas de Leede's job to get Durham quick runs and whittle down the 112 deficit.