Robinson keeps hosts guessing

Ollie Robinson underlined his all-round qualities to leave Sussex’s Specsavers County Championship match against Durham in the balance.

On the Chester-le-Street ground where he made a century on debut two years ago, Robinson took three wickets with his usual seam and one with off-spin as Graham Clark’s unbeaten 73 carried Durham to 321 for six, 25 runs behind.

Robinson revived Sussex by removing both Tom Latham and Cameron Steel after they had batted through the day’s first 44 overs to take their second-wicket stand to 163.

He almost dismissed Latham when trying two overs of off-spin just before lunch, the New Zealand lefthander almost bowled round his legs before surviving a sharp chance to Chris Jordan at slip.

Latham and Steel looked supremely comfortable in the first hour after lunch, but both got out to miscued pulls off Robinson.

Steel fell for 73, caught at deep midwicket and four overs later Latham skied to Laurie Evans at deep backward square.

With Danny Briggs left out, Robinson provided the only spin option and he tried it again for three overs before taking the second new ball. His seventh delivery had Ryan Pringle lbw.

Left-armer Garton claimed the scalp of Paul Collingwood, skidding one through to pin him bang in front.

Jordan ran in strongly, but his only success came from a ball which moved so sharply away off the pitch that Michael Richardson would have done well to touch it. He lingered several seconds after being adjudged caught behind.

Clark was missed by Jordan at slip off Robinson on 10 but soon began pulling strongly and had eight fours in his 72-ball fifty.

He and Pringle had a stand of 57 and he enjoyed good support in an unbroken partnership of 42 with Brydon Carse.

Bad light ended play with 10 overs left.