Collingwood steers Durham towards safety

Durham paceman Steve Harmison, who was in the England squad a year ago, took his first five-wicket haul for two years against Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street today.

But Durham had to rely on their England one-day squad newcomer, Paul Collingwood, to take them within sight of the follow-on target.

At 205 for six they were 17 short of the 222 they needed at the close, with Collingwood still there one short of his fifth championship half-century of the season.

On a blameless pitch Durham slipped to 96 for four after Nottinghamshire lost their last seven wickets for 94 runs to be all out for 371.

Collingwood survived a stumping chance off left-arm spinner Richard Stemp on 15 as he and Danny law repaired the early damage with a stand of 68 in 18 overs.

Harmison had one for 67 when Nottinghamshire resumed on 277 for three, but he bowled much straighter than on the first day and finished with five for 100.

He was helped by the visitors' bold approach as Usman Afzaal dragged the day's fourth ball into his stumps after adding one to his overnight 88.

Paul Johnson, who resumed on 89, completed his century off 133 balls with 14 fours and immediately hit two more boundaries before steering Harmison straight into the hands of third man.

With a session lost on the first day, plus 40 minutes today and more rain forecast, Durham also went for their shots.

Greg Smith produced a beauty to have Martin Love caught behind, and with Andrew Harris and Stemp taking two wickets each they would have had Durham in deep trouble had Collingwood not kept them afloat.