Durham start well after Higgins hundred for Middlesex

Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, Lord's (day two)

Middlesex 430: Higgins 131, Robson 87, Holden 65, Gohar 56; Raine 5-58

Durham 135-1: Gay 75*, McKinney 46*

Middlesex 2pts, Durham 2pts

Match scorecard

Ryan Higgins struck his first century for 20 months before Ben Raine hit back with five wickets on a truncated day two of Middlesex's County Championship clash with Durham at Lord's.

All-rounder Higgins had not passed three figures since August 31, 2024, but ended the drought with a pugnacious 131, sharing a seventh-wicket stand of 125 with Zafar Gohar (56), who passed 50 for the second innings running.

However, Raine gained reward for his nagging accuracy with two further wickets to add to his three from day one as he returned 5-58, the 18th five-wicket haul of his first- class career, as the hosts were bowled out for 430.

England hopeful Emilio Gay then led the reply with a stylish unbeaten 75 at almost a run a ball as the visitors raced to 135-1 though Middlesex may live to rue dropping him at slip on 24.

The morning belonged exclusively to Middlesex, who resumed on 272-6 and Higgins gave their effort early impetus, employing the hook shot to good effect against Matthew Potts.

Gohar was initially scratchy, spending 30 balls over his first three runs, before being given a life when David Bedingham dropped him off a flashing edge at second slip.

Freed up by the reprieve Gohar went on the attack depositing short balls first from Kasey Aldridge and then Luke Robinson into the Grandstand.

At the other end, Higgins, whose early season batting form had been poor by his standards inched his way through the 90s before unfurling a lovely cover drive to reach his century.

Gohar's 50 came shortly after lunch courtesy of a cracking straight drive, but Raine made sure he did not remain for much longer, uprooting off stump as he swung across the line.

As so often after a long stand, Higgins' magnificent effort came to an end soon afterwards, Raine completing his five-fer aided by a tremendous grab at slip by Aldridge low to his left.

The innings came to an end with Robinson's maiden first-class wicket, Toby Roland-Jones trapped in front for a duck.

Inspired by his batting, Higgins soon struck ball in hand, trapping Alex Lees lbw, but that brought Gay to the crease.

The left-hander picked up where he had left off against Lancashire last week, driving and cutting with authority from the get-go.

Gay had a stroke of luck on 24 when Sebastian Morgan found the edge only for the usually reliable Sam Robson to shell the routine chance at slip.

Scare survived, Gay forged on, his eighth four bringing him to 50 in only 46 balls, while another of those on the England radar, Ben McKinney (46*) proved an excellent foil in their century stand.

Gay hoisted Gohar for six in gathering gloom before bad light and rain brought a halt with 17 overs left un-bowled.

Report by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay.