County Championship: Durham close on Gloucestershire win as Matthew Potts impresses

Injuries to Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer could leave the Ashes door ajar for Durham's Matthew Potts

Matthew Potts boosted his Ashes prospects to put Durham on the brink of victory over Gloucestershire in Bristol.

On a day when Sussex paceman Ollie Robinson added to England's fast-bowling injury worries, Potts claimed 2-21 in an impressive five-over burst with the new ball to issue a timely reminder to the England selectors.

Building on a first-innings lead of 153, Durham posted 272-4 declared second time around thanks to a fine innings of 121 not out by Michael Jones and a quickfire half-century from Ollie Robinson, setting Gloucestershire a notional victory target of 426 in 142 overs on a deteriorating pitch.

Potts then removed left-handers Chris Dent and Ben Charlesworth with successive deliveries in the third over to commence a slide as the hosts subsided to 58-4.

Although Marcus Harris proved dogged in registering 71 not out to see the home side through to 181-6 at the close, they still trail by 244 and, with the weather set fair, the overwhelming likelihood is that Durham will complete a fourth victory in six to cement their position at the top of Division Two.

Potts, who has now claimed 28 wickets in five red-ball outings since early April, was too much for Dent and Charlesworth.

Dent caught behind before Charlesworth nicked to third slip as Gloucestershire made the worst possible start to their second innings.

Miles Hammond survived the hat-trick ball, but did not last much longer, nicking Ben Raine to first slip, while Jack Taylor was lured onto the front foot by Ajaz Patel and was stumped for a first-ball duck as the home side slipped to 58-4.

Eager to press his claims for inclusion in the Australia team to face India in the World Test Championship final at The Oval next month, Harris held up Durham's victory charge with his second half-century of the match.

He was at last afforded the support his efforts deserved when joined by James Bracey, who made 50 from 78 balls in a fifth-wicket partnership of 92.

But Gloucestershire's stand-in captain blotted his copybook when nicking a delivery from Scott Borthwick to leg slip, while Zafar Gohar danced down the track to Patel and was comprehensively stumped for 11 to leave Durham on the cusp of victory.

Potts had earlier wrapped up Gloucestershire's first innings on 292, clean bowling Ajeet Singh Dale for 15 to finish with 3-43. Josh Shaw remained unbeaten on 37, smashing three sixes and a brace of fours to dominate a last-wicket stand of 65.

With a declaration figure already in mind, Durham were understandably eager to score quickly and Jones and Alex Lees shared an opening stand of 119 in 27.1 overs.

Ajeet Singh-Dale troubled both openers in a venomous new-ball spell before retiring to the pavilion with an injured knee.

Jones in particular cashed in, twice carting Zafar over mid-wicket for six and meting out the same treatment to Matt Taylor as he went to 50 from 73 balls.

And, when Lees (40) and Scott Borthwick had gone in quick succession, Jones shared further stands of 56 with David Bedingham (29) and 94 with Robinson, whose departure after three sixes and nine fours in his 67 off 36 balls brought the declaration.

Gloucestershire and Australia opener Marcus Harris:

"It is always tough when you go into the third innings of a game 150 behind and that proved the case.

"Durham batted really well and are in a commanding position. Being so far behind, we couldn't over-attack with our fields and they got away from us in their second innings.

"They then bowled very well and the wicket was conducive to their guys who hit the surface hard. There's a reason why they're top of the pile."

Durham opener Michael Jones:

"I'm told Durham have never won a Championship game on this ground previously, so it's great that we're in this position with a day to go.

"We really struggled against spin here two years ago and lost inside two days. It was turning for Zafar Gohar, but I decided to be positive, try and utilise the short boundary and take a couple of risks when the opportunity arose and it paid off for me.

"Batting with Ollie Robinson was really great and he scored so quickly to take the pressure off me."

Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network.