Durham 393 for 9 (Clark 100, de Leede 65, Borthwick 53) vs Gloucestershire

Encountering a flat pitch and batter-friendly climate for the primary time this season, the guests gained the toss and ran up 393 for 9 by the shut, thanks largely to an outstanding partnership of 124 in 34.4 overs for the sixth wicket between Clark and Bas de Leede. There was additionally a half century for captain Scott Borthwick, whereas opener Alex Lees and in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Ollie Robinson contributed 41 and 40 respectively.

A Gloucestershire facet disadvantaged by means of damage of captain Graeme van Buuren, skilled strike bowler Merchant de Lange and main wicket-taker Tom Price fought onerous all through, chipping away on the high and center order and making Durham graft for his or her runs on a sometimes sluggish Bristol pitch. Slow left armer Zafar Gohar claimed 4 for 104 and seamer Ajeet Singh Dale 2 for 73 because the hosts caught to their job manfully.

But the guests ultimately took management within the closing session, Clark elevating precisely 100 from 155 balls, with 13 fours and a six, and de Leede, making solely his third first-class look, registering a Championship-best rating of 65 to place their facet in credit score.

Top of the desk after three wins from 5 video games and brimful of confidence, Durham have gained a fame for taking part in 'Bazball' model cricket this season. But they have been made to suppose twice by Singh Dale, who has placed on a yard of tempo over the winter.

Bending his again and summoning no little bounce and motion off the seam, he accounted for Michael Jones within the third over, the Scottish batsmen failing to supply a shot and searching again in horror as off and center stumps have been dislodged. It was removed from plain crusing for the guests and Borthwick was handed a life on 20 when edging debutant Zaman Akhter to second slip the place the often dependable Chris Dent allowed alternative to slide by means of his fingers. He then survived a assured lbw attraction from the identical bowler as Gloucestershire's seamers continued to make life troublesome.

Having grafted their technique to 50 within the first hour, Durham's second wicket pair moved up by means of the gears, Lees particularly going after sluggish left armer Zafar. Still to search out the rhythm that begets consistency of line and size, Akhter additionally proved costly.

Under strain, Gloucestershire stood their floor and have been rewarded when Lees, having crafted 41 from 64 balls, drove Shaw to backward level the place Zafar took a startling catch. Having shared in a stand of 71 for the second wicket, Borthwick then added an additional 63 in partnership with David Bedingham both facet of lunch as Durham flourished. Borthwick went to 50 from 73 balls by way of his ninth 4, punched by means of mid-off on the expense of Dale.

Once once more, Gloucestershire caught to their job and Borthwick, having assiduously averted being tempted by the brief ball, however fell right into a carefully-laid entice, pulling Dale and succumbing to a superb catch by Miles Hammond at backward level for 53. When Bedingham clipped Matt Taylor to mid-wicket within the subsequent over, Durham have been 149 for 4, their place of energy in severe hazard of being eroded.

New batsmen Robinson and Clark tried to wrest again management in a diligent alliance of 65 in 16 overs for the fifth wicket, just for the previous to backside edge a catch behind off Zafar and depart for 40 when a fourth half century of the season appeared his for the taking.

Reduced to 214 for five and nonetheless nearly being held in verify, Durham have been thereafter indebted to Clark and de Leede, who labored onerous to wrestle again the initiative and ultimately affirm northern supremacy through the closing session.Playing for less than the second time this season, de Leede matched Clark blow for blow in a resilient innings that spanned 117 balls and included 11 fours.

The Dutchman was trying to grow to be extra expansive when he fell to the brand new ball within the final hour, stumped by stand-in Gloucestershire captain James Bracey off the bowling of Zafar.

Gloucestershire's abroad employed hand recovered properly after his first 4 overs went for 33 within the morning session, pinning Ben Raine lbw for 2 to guide a spirited fightback within the early-evening sunshine. But the indomitable Clark nonetheless had the ultimate say, working Zafar to sq. leg and punching the air earlier than even he had accomplished the only which signaled his first century since 2017.

He was out subsequent ball, trapped lbw by Zafar, and there was nonetheless time for Akhter to assert his first Championship wicket, Hammond taking a surprising diving catch at level to take away Matthew Potts with out scoring.