Middlesex buckle after Borthwick double

Scott Borthwick's maiden double century left Durham in charge of their Championship clash with Division One leaders Middlesex. Borthwick's career-best 216 had helped the reigning champions to a total of 568 for 9 declared, and they took full advantage as they reduced the visitors to 69 for 4 before rain intervened on day two at Chester-le-Street.

Debutant John Hastings tempted compatriot Chris Rogers to play on with just seven runs on the board, and it was then that Mark Wood took over, accounting for both Sam Robson, who had earlier survived to lbw appeals, and Dawid Malan.

By the time Ben Stokes had Neil Dexter caught by Michael Richardson, his second fine take at third slip, the visitors had been reduced to 45 for 4. Only five balls were bowled after tea as Middlesex found themselves 499 adrift of the home side's first innings total and 350 shy of the follow-on figure at stumps.

Earlier, Durham had added just 11 to their overnight scored of 411 for 4 when Wood offered Joe Denly a simply chance at short midwicket off Tim Murtagh. Paul Collingwood followed him back into the pavilion for a quick-fire 36 at 493 for 6.

Borthwick brought up his 200 with a fine glance for two off Ravi Patel but the 24-year-old, who had resumed on 164, finally succumbed when he skied a ball from Toby Roland-Jones to Malan as the home side stepped up a gear in the search for quick runs. He did so having batted for five minutes short of seven hours, facing 305 balls and scoring 25 fours and a six to become the first Englishman to complete a double ton for Durham at the Riverside Ground.

Phil Mustard and Hastings, who scored an unbeaten 38 off 25 balls, added 48 for the ninth wicket before Murtagh took a steepling catch at mid-on to see off the former for 18 and prompt the declaration. Roland-Jones was the only bowler to emerge with any real credit with a return of 5 for 103 from his 25.1 overs.