Benkenstein reaches ton on day for batsmen
Dale Benkenstein led the way with an immaculate century as Durham made the most of bright sunshine and an easy-paced wicket at the Rose Bowl
08-Apr-2011
Dale Benkenstein led the way with an immaculate century as Durham made the most of bright sunshine and an easy-paced wicket at the Rose Bowl. Benkenstein made 118 as the visitors reached a highly-satisfactory 413 for 6 from 96 overs at the end of the first day of their match with Hampshire.
Durham captain Phil Mustard had no hesitation in batting first after winning the toss and it proved a sensible choice. Hampshire included South African newcomer, pace bowler Friedel de Wet, and New Zealand-qualified Johan Myburgh, and they were among seven bowlers used by
Hampshire captain Dominic Cork.
Durham never looked in any difficulty and openers Michael Di Venuto and Mark Stoneman put on 84 for the first wicket before Tasmanian Di Venuto became the first of four wickets for young left-arm spinner Danny Briggs. Di Venuto drove Briggs to mid on where Sean Ervine held the catch after making 42.
Stoneman was out two balls after reaching his half century, deceived by Briggs and bowled for 51. The only batsman to miss out was England Lions prospect Ben Stokes, who scored
only 10 before being third out at 121, giving fit-again Simon Jones his first wicket of the season to a catch by Cork.
Durham's impressive total was built around two century stands in the middle of the innings, 100 for the fourth wicket between Benkenstein and Gordon Muchall and 136 for the fifth between Benkenstein and Ian Blackwell.
Hampshire had no answer as Muchall dominated the fourth-wicket stand, making a rapid 62 before driving Cork to square leg where Jimmy Adams held the catch. Benkenstein went on to reach the 35th first-class century of his career off 126 balls and went on to make 118 before he was removed.
In the meantime Blackwell, who also made 62, was bowled by the tenacious Briggs at 357 but there was no respite for the toiling Hampshire attack. South African Benkenstein, his job done, gave Briggs his fourth wicket with a catch by Adams off an attempted sweep but from Hampshire's point of view the damage was done.
Benkenstein scored his runs off 154 bowls and he hit 13 fours and two sixes including a straight drive while he was in the 90s off Briggs. Even at his departure Hampshire had no escape because Mustard and Scott Borthwick added a further 45 without being parted to take their side through to the close.
Left arm spinner Briggs, who took 33 wickets in the West Indian domestic competition for England Lions last month, took 4 for 127 off 26 overs. Former England pace bowler Jones, making another comeback from numerous injuries to his knee, finished with 1 for 54 while newcomer De Wet failed to claim a wicket in his 18 overs and conceded 64.
