Patel helps spin Durham to success in Bristol

Ajaz Patel finished with match figures of 10-209 as Durham cemented their position as DivisionTwo leaders with a 125- run LV= Insurance County Championship win over Gloucestershire at Bristol.

But the visitors were made to wait to complete a comprehensive victory by Marcus Harris, who recorded his 26th first-class century, and Josh Shaw, whose contribution of 44 to a stubborn eighth-wicket stand of 88 was a career-best first-class score.

Australian opener Harris carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 122, off 195 balls, with 15 fours.

However, it was never going to be enough as New Zealand Test left-arm spinner Pat el followed up his five for 113 in the first innings with five for 96.

Gloucestershire were bowled out for 300 before lunch on the final day and remain in search of a first win of the season. They took four points from the match, while Durham’ s 23 from a fourth victory in six games strengthened their lead at the top of the table.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell said: “I impressed on Marcus North (Director of Cricket) the importance of adding a quality spinner to our ranks and Ajaz Patel has been brilliant for us.

“We had to work to bowl Gloucestershire out twice. It was hard graft for both teams over the four days and we owed a lot to a great innings from Graham Clark, together with our lower order, in the first innings.

“On that pitch, we felt that decent first innings runs would put us in with a good chance and so it proved. We are getting to where we want to be as a team and everyone has been impressed with the way we have gone about things this season.

“Durham cricket on top of a ladder is a pretty good thing to see. I was brought up a time when there were great players in Sheffield Shield cricket and the only way you could hope to win was by being positive.

“Our batters have embraced that attitude and even Alex Le es, who hasn’ t yet made the mountain of runs we expect from him, has picked up the baton over how we want to play.

“There are some massive tests to come, with some injuries and Matthew Potts having been picked by England, but that will serve to give others a chance.”