Mustard revives Durham after Shreck show

Durham 145 for 6 (Mustard 76*, Thorp 42*, Shreck 4-38) v Nottinghamshire
Scorecard

Phil Mustard and Callum Thorp led a brave Durham fightback against Nottinghamshire at Chester-le-Street after an early blitz from Charlie Shreck had left them in tatters at 37 for 6. Rain delayed the start for early three hours and Durham will have soon be regretting their decision to bat as Shreck took four early wickets - and Ryan Sidebottom one - as the top order crumbled.

However, Mustard and Thorp showed up their colleagues with an unbeaten stand of 108 by putting bat to ball. Mustard hit 13 boundaries in his 80-ball 76 and by the time bad light stopped play had given the total some respectability.

Shreck was devastating with the new ball as he took his tally for the season to an impressive 31 wickets at 22. He continued Ben Harmison's tough start to his Championship career with a five-ball duck and also removed Dale Benkenstein without scoring.

Mustard, though, has provided vital runs throughout the summer for Durham and produced another counterattacking display. Thorp, who has shown batting potential before, wasn't afraid to play his shots, either, as the Nottinghamshire's early success was halted. More of the same will be needed tomorrow, but from their earlier position Durham's total is riches indeed.