Durham on brink thanks to Coughlin

PAUL Coughlin put Durham in a commanding position to claim the 2nd XI Championship crown with a magnificent 231 against Middlesex.

The 23-year-old’s mammoth total came from just 276 balls, including 28 fours and two sixes, as the hosts racked up an imposing firstinnings total of 504 at the Emirates Riverside.

Cameron Steel also chipped in with 95 before he was dismissed by James Harris, and while both Harris and James Fuller took three wickets apiece, Middlesex’s bowlers were put to the sword on a pitch that is notoriously tricky to score on.

In response, Middlesex left themselves with a mountain to climb as they reached just 202 all out, Usman Arshad taking 4-34 and Harris the only man to pass 50.The destination of the trophy will be decided today.

Elsewhere, Arron Lilley’s 7-67 stole the show as Lancashire closed in on victory against Gloucestershire in their four-day friendly.

James Brace and Brooke Guest traded tons in the first innings, before Lilley ripped through Gloucestershire’s top order – taking all of their top five batsmen – leaving Lancashire just 140 to win.

Surrey were left chasing a big total of 371 to beat a joint Hampshire/Sussex side, after Jake Goodwin (131) and Ben Duggan (124) starred in either innings.

Freddie van den Bergh (78) was promoted to the top of the order for the visitors and flourished batting alongside academy batsman Ryan Patel (81no) as the two added 105 for the first wicket, and having declared on 231-2, Surrey faced an uphill struggle on the final day.

And Yorkshire won their friendly game against Scotland A at Harrogate by an innings and 42 runs.

They had Will Rhodes to thank as he produced his best-ever 2nd XI figures, taking five wickets for four runs in just nine deliveries as Scotland succumbed for only 120.

He then added 38 before the end of day one, with the hosts notching up a lead of 226 on day two before another Scotland collapse.

This time it was from 115-2 to 184 all out, with Karl Carver leading the way with 4-25 as the game was decided inside two days.