Faizan Ghumman scores 178 as Durham Boys’ under 18s continue unbeaten start to their Championship campaign against Derbyshire at Repton School.
Derbyshire won the toss and chose to bat first and after being under pressure at 30 for two, the hosts recovered well reaching 254/5. Danny Chapman led the way with 84 and was backed up by Samuel Cliffe (51), Zak Kelly (41) and RH Abrar (36).
Durham hit back though, claiming the final five wickets for just 12 runs with Charlie Harmison (3/15) and Will Alexander (3/31) the pick of the bowlers. After closing day one on 44/1, the young Ds went big on day two with Ghumman being central to Durham’s efforts.
Ghumman and Owen Harwood added a further 132 for the second wicket as the visitors got off to a strong start with the bat in Repton, Harwood scoring 71 from 109.
Ghumman brought up three figures in 185 deliveries as he continued to lead Durham into a dominant position, sharing a partnership of 73 with Callum Gaffney (38).
Ghumman went into fifth gear as the Ds approached and passed Derbyshire’s total, striking five fours and three sixes in a blistering 51-run stand with Jack Temple, bringing up his 150 from 227 balls with a six over the leg side.
Ghumman struck 22 fours and four maximums as he went on to fall for a mammoth 178 from 250 balls.
With Durham in the lead by 94 at 360 for six, Hugo Croft and Will Alexander pressed home Durham’s advantage with an unbroken partnership of 137 in 167 balls.
Croft made 82 from 107 while Alexander added 62 from 88 as Durham made it to 497/6 before declaring with a lead of 231 over Derbyshire on day two.
Durham struggled for early breakthroughs with Callum Gaffney breaking stands of 69 and 50 and a couple of quick wickets saw a slim chance of a result with Derbyshire 135/4.
Hassnain Akhtar held firm for Derbyshire, going to his century from 171 balls as he led the hosts to 243/5 before the sides shook hands in Repton.