FOR the second innings running, Mark Stoneman today made an attractive County Championship 70 for Durham. Now the 24-year-old needs to convert it into a hundred.While making a habit of eye-catching half-centuries, Stoneman's only three-figure score in the competition came at home to today's opponents Sussex, four years ago. It is a flaw that needs to be put right on his cv.The left-hander went in for his tea 23 runs away from the milestone, as Durham compiled 219-3.Paul Collingwood was the only man to go in the session. He had made 38 in a stand of 78 with Stoneman.Collingwood hit a nice straight drive for four at the start of the session, but it was the short boundary he made best use of. In Wayne Parnell's first over of the session he pulled a six, then a four to it.He went to a good catch by Michael Yardy at slip. The Sussex captain juggled the edge slightly as he tumbled right, but definitely clung on. Without such a clear view, Collingwood waited for confirmation from one of his team-mates at the last Twenty20 World Championships before walking.Stoneman - who made 74 in a losing cause at Trent Bridge last week - reached his fifty off 78 balls, hitting eight fours and a six. Having got to the landmark, he then went completely into his shell. Perhaps it was a sign of his determination to finally convert it into a hundred.When the left-hander's partnership with Dale Benkenstein reached 51, he had contributed just seven, as opposed to 37 from the South African. He was fortunate that his edge on 60 was out of the reach of wicketkeeper Ben Brown, and went for four.Benkenstein also played the ball through the air behind the wicket, although he guided his late cut safe in the knowledge there was no-one at gully. A half-pull, half-cut - again to the short boundary - took him to 42 not out, his score at the interval.For a full report of day one, read The Journal on Thursday.Read
