Prolific Jennings doubles up to set Durham record

Durham 393 for 9 (Jennings 200*, Footitt 4-88) vSurrey
Scorecard

Keaton Jennings produced another virtuoso display on the first day of Durham's County Championship match at home to Surrey.

The country's leading run-scorer ran the day's final ball from Stuart Meaker to third man for the four which took him to 200 and his Championship total for the season to 1,510.

"I've had a lovely message from James Taylor with some really nice words, which means a lot coming from a guy who has played a bit of Test cricket," he said. "There's no chance of me going back to South Africa. I decided to make a career here. This is my home now and I'm ready to play for England if they want me."

He ensured the relegation-threatened hosts recovered from a four-wicket burst by Mark Footitt by taking them to 393 for 9 at the close of a day on which it was confirmed in a brief statement that Scott Borthwick has rejected a three-year deal in favour of a move to Surrey who have also secured Mark Stoneman.

While the locals are leaving, Jennings has signed a four-year deal and it was another South Africa-born player, Brydon Carse, who helped him in the recovery.

Making his comeback in place of the rested Chris Rushworth, the paceman contributed 32 to a stand of 79, then Mark Wood continued the resistance by making 28.

Durham had hoped for a big innings from their other returning England man, Ben Stokes, but after scoring 24, all in fours, he had his stumps splattered by Footitt.

Stokes was stuck on the crease as the ball speared through his defences, but two of Footitt's wickets came from poor deliveries.

Paul Collingwood reached for a full, wide one and gave a catch to gully, while Graham Clark spooned a catch to mid-wicket.

Jennings became the first batsman to score seven Championship hundreds in a season for Durham with a reverse paddle for four after playing back five balls from left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari on 99.

That was his 18th four and after reaching his century off 171 balls he stepped on the gas with his next 50 coming off 61.

"It's a day I will remember. It's very special to take a club record from players like Paul Collingwood and Michael Di Venuto," he said.

When the new ball was taken he slipped into overdrive as a series of imperious straight drives off the Curran brothers brought 30 runs off three overs. His fourth 50 came off 51 balls.

After Durham chose to bat on a run-laden pitch Borthwick had the next highest score with 38 before Tom Curran skidded one on to him for an easy lbw verdict.

Stoneman was out for 20, having survived an edge off the excellent Curran on 11 before Ben Foakes accepted an easier chance off Stuart Meaker.

Meaker had Wood caught at second slip for his third wicket, leaving Graham Onions to keep Jennings company while he collected the runs which took him past 1,500 runs.