The ground staff worked incredibly hard to mop up the water from the covers after the torrential rain the night before. Play was able to start at 1.55pm with Chanderpaul and Sutton at the crease for Lancashire. The pair went on to produce a hundred partnership with Chanderpaul’s fifty coming off 114 deliveries. Shiv was eventually dismissed when he was caught behind off a Plunkett delivery, leaving the visitors 243-6.
Ten runs were added to the total before Glenn Chapple (4) became Plunkett’s second victim, nicking the ball to Mustard. Lancashire were 272-7 at the tea interval and after the break the tail did manage to add 62 before the last wicket fell with Stephen Harmison picking up the scalps of Mahmood (42) and Anderson (0) and Claydon had Sutton (101) caught behind the delivery after he passed the hundred mark.
After defending his wicket from Anderson and Chapple for 12 overs Mark Stoneman brought play to a close five balls early after he was caught behind off the England seamer for 11. Durham will resume day three with 27-1 on the board.
Durhamccc.co.uk spoke to Durham Head Coach, Geoff Cook, at the close of play, “Sutton played very well, we spoke before we started about trying to reduce the scoring opportunities, as well as they played, we still could have been a little more disciplined. Yesterday we had good conditions to bowl in so 130 odd for five probably could have been a bit better. Sutton’s been in good form, he had a good innings, he played nothing flamboyant, he knew the balls he wanted to score off and he hit it well off the off side. It was a good knock.
“Shiv is a top class, world class player and he accumulated runs very nicely, he’s a cunning player and bats within himself and he was determined to get a hundred so, having dropped him yesterday, that was quite a key moment but it’s still nice to see him here and I wouldn’t have be-grudged him a hundred!
“Stephen bowled well in his first spell yesterday and well on occasions today, as a group we could have bowled a little more consistently.
“Mark and Di Venuto batted brilliantly off a swinging ball off probably the best two new ball bowlers in the country. In these conditions, when it is swinging, Chapple and Anderson provide a real test. It was a great ball that got Mark out, it was excellent bowling.
“It’s going to be a hard day’s batting tomorrow, we’re going to have to try and see off the first spells of the three main bowlers and make sure they spend some time on their feet and get a little bit tired as the day goes on and touch wood, batting might get a bit easier.”
Follow the Live Match Chat from the day’s play at www.durhamccc.co.uk/live-match-chat
Highlights of day two will be uploaded at www.durhamccc.co.uk/durhamtv