Lancashire v Durham: Day two tea
DURHAM have had to work for every single run this afternoon as they clawed their way to 175-7 - just six runs behind Lancashire - at tea thanks to a battling 65 from Ian Blackwell.
The pitch has offered the spinners plenty of assistance and even a small first innings lead could be decisive, but Lancashire have fought their way back into the game as Gary Keedy picked up four wickets.
Durham were progressing well as Blackwell and Dale Benkenstein shared a stand of 83 for the fourth wicket, and even when the latter departed for 32, they were still looking comfortable as Ben Stokes continued his good form to move on to 32.
But cricket on a pitch like this is never easy and the game turned as soon as Blackwell left a ball from Keedy which turned extravagantly and clipped the top of his off stump.
Phil Mustard lasted just two balls before he followed him, the ball clipping the back of his bat as he tried to sweep, with Paul Horton taking a good catch. When Stokes went, also sweeping, top edging Simon Kerrigan, Durham had lost three wickets for just six runs to let Lancashire back into it.
Much will depend on this partnership between their last recognised batsman Scott Borthwick and Liam Plunkett. Neither has looked very comfortable out there so far, but a lead of 50 would still put the game in Durham's hands.
