By JMB
September 23 2006

Durham added 208 to their day 2 total without losing a wicket before rain called a halt to play for the day. Benkenstein (116 no) and Gilbson (104 no) took their partnership for Durham's 7th wicket to a record 220. They appear to have saved Durham and condemned Notts to the drop from Division One. Durham achieved their prime goal passing the 400 run mark and thus securing maximum batting points. A draw in this fixture will see both Yorkshire and Durham avoid relegation this season. Rain halted play early on day three of this Championship match. Neither Yorkshire or Durham will mind the weathers intervention with a draw suiting both teams.

Earlier in the day Sussex beat Nottinghamshire to take the Championship title, a result that leaves Notts division one status hanging by a thread. The only result that can save Notts is a positive result at Headingley tomorrow - an unlikely eventuality considering the weather and the respective positions of the teams involved.

DURHAM 411-6. Benkenstein (116) Gibson (104). Rain Stopped Play.

DURHAM 404-6. Benkenstein (115) Gibson (98). First half of Durham's job done, they now have to draw this game. A great performance from these two today. They have now added 219 runs for the seventh wicket - a Durham record.

LUNCH. DURHAM 371-6. Benkenstein (99) Gibson (84)

DURHAM 363-6. Benkenstein (99) Gibson (80)

CONGRATULATIONS TO SURREY - COUNTY CHAMPIONS 2006. Notts lose so it's officially game on for Durham. If they get to 400 they are safe - assuming they get a draw against Yorkshire.

DURHAM 350-6. Benkenstein (91) Gibson (79)

CURRENT LIVE TABLE inc points in last round of matches. (in brackets are the points the teams would finish on if Yorkshire and Durham draw. Please note these do not include the points still available to Yorkshire, Durham and Middlesex in their current games)

Notts 153.0
Yorks 150.0 (154.0 assuming a draw)
Durham 148.5 (152.5 assuming a draw)
Middlx 124.5 (124.5 assuming a loss)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP SITUATION - Nottinghamshire have done their utmost to keep both Yorkshire and Durham safely in division 1. Yorkshire have secured a minimum of two bowling points and Durham could still get 5 batting points which would then mean Notts are down as they have collected one bonus point in the match! If Durham don't get 5 batting points they are down. This is all assuming Yorks and Durham draw, which at the moment look the probable outcome.

DURHAM 333-6. Benkenstein (83) Gibson (75) Durham inching closer to the 400 which would almost guarantee both sides at Headingley are safe.

DURHAM 315-6. Benkenstein (74) Gibson (66) Congratulations to Mushtaq Ahmed! He has just taken his 100th wicket and now Notts are 8 down.

DURHAM 304-6. Benkenstein (70) Gibson (59) Play has started at Trent Bridge and Notts are still six wickets down. Can Durham get to 400 and save themselves???

DURHAM 281-6. Benkenstein (56) Gibson (50)

DURHAM 245-6. Benkenstein (41) Gibson (30)

DURHAM 231-6. Benkenstein (34) Gibson (23) Kruis and Gillespie began bowling in tandem to start the third day but Rashid and Lawson have now taken over. Will this be the day when the Yorkshire spin twins come to the party? Remember Durham need 400 in this first innings within 130 overs to stay in Division One next season.

DURHAM 214-6. Benkenstein (25) Gibson (15)