Middlesex v Durham: Borthwick century gives visitors upper hand

Borthwick made five runs and took four wickets in his sole Test for England

Scott Borthwick hit an unbeaten century as Durham edged proceedings on day one against Middlesex at Lord's.

Tim Murtagh (4-91) bowled Keaton Jennings for a first-ball duck, had Mark Stoneman caught behind and got rid of Michael Richardson - caught at second slip - as Durham fell to 24-3.

A 176-run fourth-wicket stand between Borthwick (169 not out) and Ben Stokes (85) aided the away side's recovery.

But Paul Collingwood (59) fell to Murtagh as Durham closed on 348-7.

Both teams began the day 12 points ahead of eighth-placed Lancashire, albeit with a game in hand, and aware that defeat could still leave them in danger of being relegated.

Middlesex's strong start was undermined by 24-year-old Borthwick, who reached three figures for the second time this season, his first having come against the hosts in June, when he made 216.

Hitting 23 fours and a six, he also shared a 94-run fifth-wicket partnership with Collingwood, who hit his fourth half-century of the season to become Durham's highest first-class run maker as his 9,077 runs eclipsed the previous record of 9,055, held by Dale Benkenstein.

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand:

"Tim Murtagh's swing bowling in early-morning conditions was at its deadliest best when he picked up three wickets in his opening four overs.

"But the pitch didn't suit Steven Finn and Toby Roland-Jones, who found little assistance off the seam.

"Durham's efforts to fight back were impressive as Scott Borthwick, aided by Ben Stokes and Paul Collingwood, ground the hosts down to justify their decision to bat first.

"The pitch looks a belter to bat on, but the 10:30 starts in September will keep the bowlers interested at the start of each day."

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson:

"What a day it turned out to be for Durham. Having chosen to bat they were 24-3 after seven overs as Tim Murtagh took three wickets in his first four overs.

"But Scott Borthwick and Ben Stokes came to the rescue to leave Durham two runs off a fourth batting point, with three wickets in hand - a great to be in after where they were following the first half hour of the day.

"Praise too to record-breaking Paul Collingwood. Now Durham's highest run-maker in first-class cricket."