Durham v Yorkshire, day two: McGrath century puts match on a knife-edge

Durham closed on 207 for six in their second innings at Chester-le-Street, leading by 165, after Yorkshire had earlier advanced from their overnight 125 for seven to reach 255.

Former England batsman McGrath went from 28 to 124 not out before running out of partners, as Yorkshire eked out a lead of 42.

Durham then looked to be taking command in their second innings when they reached 134-1, only for five wickets to go down for 43 runs.

Dale Benkenstein grafted for 35 not out to help Durham reach the close without any further losses.

After 17 wickets fell on the first day, the batsmen fared considerably better today and Mark Stoneman's 78, his best Championship score for three years, allowed the home side to pile on the runs in their second innings.

Only four wickets fell in the day's first 70 overs, but the end of the 84-run partnership for Durham's second wicket sparked a flurry of dismissals.

Stoneman's fluent 78 contained 15 fours, but he edged Patterson to Gerard Brophy almost immediately after Gordon Muchall's off stump was sent flying by Ajmal Shahzad. Muchall had made 31.

Oliver Hannon-Dalby went on to take three wickets as he stood in for Tim Bresnan, who was on England duty.

Bresnan is expected back at the ground at some stage tomorrow, providing England decide they will not require his services at The Oval for the third Test against Pakistan.

Hannon-Dalby struck in his second over when he pinned Michael Di Venuto lbw for 18 and later had Ian Blackwell and Phil Mustard caught in the slips, both driving loosely.

Benkenstein almost played on against Steve Patterson on five and the same bowler found steep bounce to have Ben Stokes held at second slip.

See Wednesday's Yorkshire Post for Chris Waters's day two match report.