Aiden Markram makes third consecutive duck to leave Durham in trouble

Durham 142 for 7 (Clark 50*, Griffiths 3-26, Raine 3-29) trail Leicestershire 440 (Cosgrove 75, Dexter 70*) by 298 runs
Scorecard

Aiden Markram was dismissed for a duck for the third time in three innings as Durham's batting woes at Emirates Riverside continued, handing Leicestershire control of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two contest.

The South African made a pair in his side's opening match of the season against Kent before their clash with Northamptonshire was washed out. Markram was unable to register his first runs for Durham as he was part of the collapse that reduced the home side to 14 for 4 in response to Leicestershire's total of 440, with Ben Raine striking three times.

Graham Clark offered resistance with a stoic half-century, while James Weighell also provided runs from the lower order, but the visitors were in a strong position after two days and looked well set to end their 17-match winless run in the County Championship.

Leicestershire resumed on 301 for 4, but were pegged back as Mark Cosgrove was removed for 75, lbw to Weighell. Barry McCarthy then struck when Lewis Hill played on to his own stumps before Raine played a loose drive to lose his wicket to the part-time offspin of Will Smith.

Neil Dexter ensured that Leicestershire posted 400 with a half-century made in 96 deliveries. He was unbeaten at the end of the innings as Cameron Steel and Markram dismissed Gavin Griffiths and Varun Aaron respectively.

Durham's reply got off to a disastrous start as Steel left a straight ball from Aaron from the third ball of the innings. Markram followed in the next over he was on the receiving end of a fine delivery from Raine. The Leicestershire seamer then put his side in complete command as he removed Smith and Paul Collingwood.

Michael Richardson made 18 to provide brief respite before he was yorked by Griffiths, while Stuart Poynter received the same fate to leave Durham 51 for 6. Clark displayed the appetite for the fight and was able fend off quality bowling from the visitors, perhaps with the aid of fortune from a couple of lbw shouts.

Weighell recorded his highest first-class score against Kent and again proved his value with the bat, providing a solid complement for Clark. The duo reached the fifty partnership off 88 balls, but their stand was broken at 61 when Weighell was bowled by Griffiths for 29.

Clark continued his defiance by reaching his fifty before the close, reaching the milestone from 127 deliveries. However, the home side trail by 298 and need a spectacular effort from their final three partnerships even to avoid the follow-on.