Lancashire v Durham: Prince hits ton as rain interrupts day three

Ashwell Prince is to retire from professional cricket at the end of the season

Ashwell Prince's century on a rain-interrupted third day boosted Lancashire's hopes of beating Durham.

The hosts resumed on 252-5 and were eventually dismissed for 421, giving them a handy first-innings lead of 81.

South African left-hander Prince (106) added to Paul Horton's ton on day two, while John Hastings finished with 4-78.

Durham reached 59-1 at the close and, while a draw looks the likely result, early wickets on Monday could see Lancashire push for a vital victory.

A win for Glen Chapple's side will be enough for them to move out of the Division One relegation zone and push Durham into the bottom two.

Veteran batsman Prince moved on from his overnight score of 58 not out to register his third Championship century of the season, in his last year as a professional before retiring.

Tom Smith (44), Stephen Parry (37) and Chapple (21) added important lower-order runs, although their progress was checked by a series of short but frequent delays for rain.

Opener Mark Stoneman is the only Durham batsman to fall so far in their second innings, caught at short leg by Steven Croft off the bowling of Simon Kerrigan for 29, which left Scott Borthwick to accompany Keaton Jennings to the close of play.

Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince told BBC Radio Manchester:

"In some ways it was a very frustrating day, having to go on and off six or seven times with the rain, but I think in the end we would have taken a lead of 81 runs.

"We would have liked one or two more wickets tonight, but it was also difficult for the bowlers to get into a rhythm with the wind as strong as it was.

"I think there will be enough chances to get a result tomorrow. I'm confident there will be a result.

"I'm enjoying my cricket and today's innings was one of my best for Lancashire. I know I've got much bigger scores before but this one rates as one of my best."