Durham 445 for 4 (Robinson 146, Lees 113, Bedingham 65, Ackermann 58) vs Essex
Durham overwhelmed title contenders Essex with a massive score of 445 for 4, thanks to centuries from Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson in their Vitality County Championship clash.
Contrasting Centuries from Lees and Robinson
Opener Alex Lees anchored the innings with a steady 113, while Ollie Robinson played aggressively, remaining unbeaten on 146. Both achieved their second centuries of the season. David Bedingham, who fell short of a fifth consecutive hundred, contributed a fluent 65, surpassing 800 Championship runs this season. Essex found some solace in debutant Eathan Bosch, who took two wickets on an otherwise tough day for the visitors.
A Promising Start and Early Wickets
After deciding to bat first on a pitch previously used for T20 matches, Durham started energetically, inspired by Essex legend Keith Fletcher's five-minute bell ceremony. Michael Jones, back from international duty with Scotland, attacked early, scoring 38 from 29 balls. His aggressive intent was evident when Simon Harmer was introduced in the 10th over, smashing two sixes and two fours off the South African spinner's first seven deliveries, taking 16 runs from the over.
However, Bosch, on his Essex debut, made an immediate impact. Filling in for the injured Sam Cook, Bosch struck with his second delivery, as Jones edged behind. He followed this with the dismissal of Scott Borthwick, also caught behind, finishing his first spell with figures of 2 for 25 in five overs.
Bedingham Continues His Stellar Form
With the pitch flattening and conditions favouring batting, Bedingham took full advantage. Before the Vitality Blast break, he had scored four consecutive centuries and looked set to join Michael Hussey and Kumar Sangakkara in achieving five in a row. He quickly reached his half-century off 53 balls, but after scoring 65 and adding 95 runs with Lees, he became Harmer's third victim, caught by Michael Pepper.
Lees and Robinson Build a Strong Partnership
Amid the aggressive play from Jones and Bedingham, Lees quietly accumulated runs. Despite a few early edges, he found his rhythm and reached his century off 184 balls. Robinson, whose attacking approach has been a hallmark this season with a strike rate nearing 90, accelerated the scoring, reaching his fifty right after Lees’ milestone. Their partnership added 136 runs, with Robinson outscoring Lees 81 to 47.
Lees eventually fell lbw to Matt Critchley, but Colin Ackermann arrived to support Robinson, who continued his aggressive play. Robinson reached his second century of the season in just 116 balls.
Dominance Continues with the Second New Ball
Essex struggled even more with the second new ball. Robinson hit the first delivery for one of his four sixes and continued to dominate. Ackermann added an easy 58 as their unbeaten 131-run partnership carried Durham to 445 for 4 at the close of play, securing four batting bonus points on the first day.
Durham’s commanding batting performance put them in a strong position against their championship rivals, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense contest.