All-round Borthwick puts Durham in control

Scott Borthwick, the legspinning allrounder who was recently called-up by the England Lions, enjoyed an excellent day with bat and ball to leave Durham firmly on top of their four-day match against Sri Lanka A at Chester-le-Street.

Opening the batting after Sri Lanka A were bundled out for 203 in just 51.4 overs he was unbeaten on 70 as Durham reached 143 for 1 at the close. Mark Stoneman also passed fifty, making 56 from 95 balls in a 117-run opening stand. Gordon Muchall, Durham captain for the game, was unbeaten on 11.

Durham's confident response made Sri Lanka A's effort look even smaller. That the visitors past 200 was something of a recovery considering their eighth wicket fell with the score on 126. Shaminda Eranga did much of the rescue work, striking six fours and a six to finish unbeaten on 50 at the end. He put on 31 with Sajeewa Weerakoon, who made 18 and 46 in a last-wicket stand with Nilanka Premaratne. Borthwick took the final two wickets to finish with 2 for 17 from 6.4 overs with Ruel Brathwaite the leading wicket-taker in the innings with 3 for 35 from 11 overs.