Khushi leads strong Essex reply to Durham
Feroze Khushi's highest first-class score is 164
- Published
Vitality County Championship Division One, Seat Unique Riverside (day two)
Durham 358: Ackermann 112, Robinson 90, Bedingham 52; Porter 3-57, Cook 3-60
Essex 314-3: Khushi 107, Browne 94*, Elgar 46
Essex (5pts), trail Durham (4pts) by 44 runs with 7 wickets standing
A century by Feroze Khushi and Nick Browne's unbeaten 94 enabled Essex to take control of their County Championship match against Durham at the Riverside.
Replying to the home side's 358, the Division One leaders were 314-3 at the close, leaving theim just 44 runs in arrears and perhaps laying the foundations for a third victory in four matches this season.
Khushi showcased his quality with a chanceless century, the second of his career and his first since he reached three figures at Canterbury in 2022.
Even when the 24-year-old had been dismissed by Callum Parkinson for 107, Browne then shared an unbroken stand of 54 with Jordan Cox to leave his side well placed to take a first-innings lead.
The first wicket of the day saw nightwatchman Sam Cook bowled by Paul Coughlin for 25.
Five minutes before lunch, Durham took the wicket they most wanted when Dean Elgar's loose drive was caught by Ollie Robinson.
In the afternoon session, Khushi and Browne carefully consolidated their side's position.
Khushi reached his 50 off 102 balls when he off-drove Parkinson to the boundary and celebrated the achievement two deliveries later with a straight drive for four.
The 100 partnership was put up in less than two hours, and then Khushi, who pushed through the gears, sealed his second career ton with a punch through mid-wicket off Colin Ackermann.
Ten minutes later, Browne reached his 50 off 143 balls via a slice of good fortune when he edged through two slip fielders.
Browne started to take the initiative before Khushi drove Parkinson straight to Graham Clark at shortish extra cover and departed for 107.
Browne and his new partner Jordan Cox soon had to face the challenge of the new ball, but they did so with little fuss.
Feroze Khushi told BBC Essex:
“It was obviously a very different innings from the one at Lancashire where I lifted the tempo but it’s not always going to come off like that.
“This time I had to be patient, get myself in and then you can score.
“It’s a good ground for me here, I scored a century on my one-day debut for the team and a century for the seconds so it’s a nice place for me to come to.
“I enjoyed batting with Browney (Nick Browne). He just calms you down, keeps you level. I’m delighted for him as well to be back in the runs."
Report supplied by the ECB Reporters' Network.