Cricket: Durham sag in the middle: Bainbridge theory backfires

Durham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242

Nottinghamshire . . . . . . . . . . .4-0

THE prospect of a spinner's wicket at Trent Bridge encouraged Phil Bainbridge, the Durham captain, to omit Stewart Hutton, his No 4 batsman, and play Phil Berry, who took only 15 wickets in nine matches with his off-breaks last season.

The risk backfired on Bainbridge, who won the toss and chose to bat but was badly let down by his middle order as Durham were dismissed for 242.

It could have been worse. John Morris, Bainbridge and Jonathan Longley disappeared for nine runs in six overs soon after lunch but Wayne Larkins proved more difficult to shift during an authoritative four- and-a-half-hour innings of 91.

Larkins shared an opening partnership of 85 with Mark Saxelby, who extended the good start he has made for his new employer, adding 43 to his hundreds against Derbyshire and Essex before Michael Field-Buss, the off-spinner, had him lbw, offering no stroke.

There was no sign of the disappointments to come as Larkins and Morris added 55 for the second wicket, but then Morris was caught by the diving Paul Pollard at wide mid- on. The error began a collapse, Bainbridge caught at the wicket by Wayne Noon, deputising for Bruce French, who is ill, Longley lbw to Chris Lewis, as 140 for 1 became 149 for 4.

Kevan Evans soon located the edge of Berry's bat and then Andy Pick claimed three wickets in six balls, including Larkins.

Anderson Cummins and David Graveney restored some respectability by adding 46 runs for the ninth wicket but Nottinghamshire, who had to bat for just one over before stumps, are in the driving seat.