COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Old Trafford:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Durham 270 and 256-5, Lancashire 265 (Lancs 5pts, Durham 5pts)
11-14 August 2009

Di Venuto hit five boundaries in his 176-ball innings

Michael Di Venuto hit 84 as leaders Durham batted themselves into a strong position on day three of their clash with Lancashire at Old Trafford.

The hosts added only 13 to their overnight 252-9 to be bowled out for 265, five runs behind on first innings.

All but Will Smith then contributed with the bat for Durham as they reached 256-5 in their second innings by the close of play, a lead of 261.

Dale Benkenstein will resume on the final morning unbeaten on 48.

And with Durham having five wickets in hand and the Old Trafford pitch taking plenty of spin, it will take a big effort from Lancashire on the final day to chase down a target of more than 300 which they can expect to be set.

After quickly polishing off the Lancashire innings, Durham extended their lead to 70 for the loss of Mark Stoneman (33) and Smith (1) by the lunch break, which saw VVS Laxman receive his county cap.

But the champions turned the screw after the interval as Di Venuto and Gordon Muchall took the attack to Lancashire.

Muchall was eventually out, caught at silly point by Mark Chilton off Francois du Plessis for 40, to end a third-wicket stand of 88.

Di Venuto's watchful 229-minute innings was eventually ended by Gary Keedy, who bowled a marathon 41 overs to take 2-69, after tea to leave Durham 186-4.

But Benkenstein then added 49 for the fifth wicket with Ian Blackwell (25) to take the lead to 240, before the former captain and Phil Mustard saw them through to the close in a position of strength.

Lancashire coach Peter Moores told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It's been a really good game of cricket. The ball has turned, but not ridiculously, and it's been hard work.

"The pitch hasn't deteriorated as much as people thought it would. There's not been much in it for the seamers, and they [Durham] have played well.

"In our innings we lost a couple of wickets quickly and were put under real pressure, we need to do that to Durham."

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