Durham Achieves Over 50 Batting Bonus Points for the Season in County Championship Clash with Leicestershire

Graham Clark and David Bedingham Shine as Durham Pile on the Runs

Division Two winners Durham showcased their batting prowess in a bid to end their County Championship campaign with a resounding victory against Leicestershire. Both Graham Clark and David Bedingham displayed exceptional form, scoring centuries to propel their team towards dominance.

Durham’s Strong Start

Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bowl, dismissing Alex Lees early for just six runs. However, Michael Jones and skipper Scott Borthwick steadied the ship with a crucial 99-run partnership at Seat Unique Riverside.

The afternoon session saw Leicestershire fight back, claiming wickets of Borthwick and Jones before Ollie Robinson fell prey to a spell of 3-34. Yet, it was Bedingham and Clark who seized control of the game during the mid-afternoon period.

Bedingham & Clark’s Dominant Partnership

In an impressive display of batting prowess, Bedingham and Clark forged a commanding 208-run partnership. The duo’s formidable performance aimed to conclude Durham’s victorious season on an emphatic note after being crowned division champions last week.

A Spirited Fightback by Leicestershire

Leicestershire managed an early breakthrough when Chris Wright dismissed top run-scorer Alex Lees for just six runs in the fifth over of the match. Despite moments of fortune for Jones surviving some close calls, Durham remained undeterred in their positive approach towards batting alongside captain Borthwick.

Borthwick’s Aggression & Milestones Achieved

Displaying an aggressive stance, Borthwick reached his half-century off just 45 balls with a delightful shot through mid-wicket. Leicestershire desperately sought a breakthrough to keep their slim promotion hopes alive and eventually found success when Tom Scriven dismissed the skipper for a punchy 63 runs.

Jones, who had shown resilience at the crease, was bowled by Scriven on the first ball after lunch for 37 runs. Despite these setbacks, Durham continued to resist as Robinson contributed with valuable runs.

A Momentum Shift

Afternoon sessions saw Bedingham and Clark capitalize on change bowlers’ lack of control and pressure. Clark notched up his fifty in just 52 deliveries while Bedingham achieved his milestone in 67 balls as they shifted momentum back towards Durham – already setting batting records along the way.

Durham’s Batting Records Tumble

The partnership between Bedingham and Clark surpassed the century mark comfortably, thus securing Durham their fiftieth batting bonus point of the season. This achievement established a new club record for most batting points earned in a single season.

Bowling Struggles for Leicestershire

Leicestershire struggled to find effective bowling options apart from Wright and Scriven as the pitch favored batsmen. With each passing delivery, Bedingham and Clark grew stronger during this afternoon session following Robinson’s dismissal.

Milestones Reached & Premature End

In an impressive display of form, Clark celebrated his third century of the season before falling lbw to Wright on an outstanding score of 119 runs. Meanwhile, Bedingham secured yet another remarkable century – his fifth of the season and tenth in a Durham shirt – before bad light interrupted play, bringing an early end to the day’s proceedings.