Cricket latest: Durham steady the ship to pile on the runs at Scarborough

Day ONE (stumps): Durham 406-6 (MD Stoneman 122, BA Stokes 127, PD Collingwood 74*; RJ Sidebottom 3-76).An early double strike by Ryan Sidebottom got Yorkshire off to a great start before centuries from Mark Stoneman and Ben Stokes and an unbeaten 74 from Paul Collingwood saw Durham end the first day of this County Championship Division One clash at Scarborough on top.
IN THE RUNS: Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow watches as Mark Stoneman from Durham makes his way towards a vital century in the County Championship encounter between the two title rivals at Scarborough. PICTURE: Gary Longbottom.IN THE RUNS: Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow watches as Mark Stoneman from Durham makes his way towards a vital century in the County Championship encounter between the two title rivals at Scarborough. PICTURE: Gary Longbottom.
IN THE RUNS: Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow watches as Mark Stoneman from Durham makes his way towards a vital century in the County Championship encounter between the two title rivals at Scarborough. PICTURE: Gary Longbottom.

Sidebottom went on to pick up his 600th first-class wicket, but Durham were never made to regret batting first upon winning the toss in front of a 5,500 crowd, the visitors closing in a strong position on 406-6.

They started the match 25.5 points behind the Championship leaders with a game in hand and if Durham leave North Marine Road with a victory it will throw the race to the line wide open.

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Sidebottom gave Yorkshire a flying start when he took two wickets in the day’s third over after Durham won the toss.

The former England paceman won lbw decisions against Keaton Jennings and Scott Borthwick, both of whom he removed for ducks to leave the visitors reeling on 5-2.

But Mark Stoneman and Will Smith led a timely recovery for Durham, adding 62 for the second wicket in 18 overs on a pitch that seemed a good one for batting.

It took a superb catch by Kane Williamson to break their stand, the New Zealander diving full length to his right at third slip to take the ball one-handed after Smith drove loosely at pace man Jack Brooks.

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The impressive Stoneman eventually made 122 and was ably supported by Ben Stokes (127) as the visitors advanced from being 117-3 at lunch.

Yorkshire’s only wicket in the second session was that of Stoneman, who was caught behind off Ryan Sidebottom attempting a loose square drive.

Durham captain Collingwood continued the progress made under Stoneman and Stokes, ending the day unbeaten on 74 with Stokes eventually dismissed when caught behind by Jonny Bairstow off Adil Rashid.

Wicketkeeper Phil Mustard then added 88 in 20 overs with Collingwood before being snared leg before by the spin of Williamson.

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Yorkshire: Lyth, Jaques, Williamson, Gale (captain), Ballance, Bairstow, Rashid, Plunkett, Sidebottom, Patterson, Brooks.

Durham: Stoneman, Jennings, Borthwick, Smith, Stokes, Collingwood (captain), Richardson, Mustard, Wood, Rushworth, Harrison.