Aiden hits the Mark at last for Riversiders
AIDEN Markram led a Durham fightback on day three of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash against Leicestershire at the Emirates Riverside.
The South African entered the crease under pressure after the home side had been dismissed for 184 in their first innings in reply to Leicestershire’s total of 440.
However, Markram ended his run of three straight ducks with a fine performance - although he fell narrowly short of his first century for the Riversiders.
Cameron Steel and Will Smith also found their form, the former scoring a 50, to almost erase the deficit and give Durham hope of salvaging a draw from the contest heading into today’s final day.
The home side began day three on 142-7 but were quickly skittled out as Varun Aaron, Neil Dexter and Gavin Griffiths wrapped up the innings.
Griffiths finished with careerbest figures of 4-34 as he ended Graham Clark’s resistance, notching the final wicket.
Markram breathed a sigh of relief as he avoided his second pair on the bounce, getting off the mark with a glance into the legside.
His confidence surged throughout his innings and he was able to record his first half-century for Durham, reaching the milestone in 75 deliveries including nine boundaries.
He and Steel brought up the 100-partnership in the 31st over and were able to gradually whittle down Leicestershire’s advantage.
Markram fell six short of his ton as he was dismissed lbw by Callum Parkinson just after the 150-partnership for the opening wicket.
Steel maintained his vigil at the crease and recorded his first halfcentury of the term off 162 deliveries, finding the boundary five times.
Smith combined with his teammate for a stand of 50 which was unbroken at the close of play.