Durham Lead bowling coach Graham Onions was full of praise for his side after an impressive day with both bat and ball put them in a strong position to secure promotion on the fourth day.
Ben McKinney picked up where he left off on day two after an excellent morning with the bat; while Middlesex took a couple of wickets, they couldn’t dislodge the Durham opener until the last ball before lunch, as he made his second-highest first-class score.
Middlesex struck back with the second new ball after lunch before a brief rain delay halted proceedings. A gritty 48 from Colin Ackermann then helped Durham set the visitors an imposing target of 424 after they were bowled out for 374, with Ryan Higgins the pick of the bowlers.
Brydon Carse then saw off both Middlesex openers to move Durham closer to promotion, but bad light denied the hosts the chance to pick up any more wickets.
“It’s pretty much gone to plan, really. This morning we set off with plenty of time left in the game, very much just bat, no need to push the rate up or anything at all,” said Onions.
McKinney continued where he left off at the end of Day Two, notching an impressive 184 as he looked to push the run rate, but a mistimed shot eventually saw him depart.
“I thought Ben McKinney was outstanding. There were some really nice key partnerships around him, and then we got the two wickets there at the end.”
Onions was then called into action as umpire Sue Redfern had to leave the field, with the former England international stepping in at square leg to see out the over.
“I wasn’t too sure what was going on, but Sue (Redfern) came off for whatever reason, and they just needed one of the coaches from either side; I was just there. It was nice to get out there.”
With Durham needing just eight more wickets to secure victory, Onions is confident his side can finish the job on the fourth day.
“Tomorrow is meant to be clear, but you never know with the North East weather.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting day tomorrow; some results might go our way, but we don’t really look at anyone else.
“We look at what we need to do, and it’s been a strong, powerful day for us.”