Centuries for Love and Lewis ease Durham to win

Durham's record Championship stand carried them to an eight-wicket win against Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street.

Skipper Jon Lewis made 112 and Queenslander Martin Love 149 not out put on 258, 52 more than the previous record, before Lewis was out with two needed.

Durham reached their target of 315 five minutes before the start of the final hour, making a mockery of the visitors' declaration, which left them a minimum of 102 overs to get the runs.

Love needed 105 balls for his 50, two more than his captain, but then dealt almost exclusively in boundaries, hitting 25 fours in his 232-ball knock.

Lewis profited from too many short balls outside off stump, reaching 112 from 227 balls against a team who were again without acting captain Darren Bicknell because of a side strain.

His absence left Paul Johnson to shuffle the bowlers with no hint of success as they became increasingly dispirited in a strong, cold wind.

After winning the toss, Nottinghamshire had dominated the game for three days. The loss of almost half a day to the weather may have forced their hand, but in the end they did not bowl anywhere near well enough to justify their bold declaration.

They made a breakthrough on 55, when Michael Gough edged to second slip, and Andrew Harris went close to bowling Love on nine.

But little got past the Australian after that as he cruised effortlessly past his previous best score of 67 in his six Championship innings.