Durham’s Openers Shine as Essex Face Uphill Battle
On a sun-drenched day at Chelmsford, Durham’s openers Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson put on a batting masterclass, scoring contrasting centuries to propel their side to a commanding 445 for 4 against Vitality County Championship leaders Essex.
Opener Lees anchored the innings with a classy 113, while the swashbuckling Robinson remained unbeaten on a blistering 146, both players notching their second hundreds of the campaign. The pair’s exploits were complemented by a sublime 65 from David Bedingham, who narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive century but surpassed 800 Championship runs this season.
Opting to bat first on a pitch previously used for two T20 fixtures, Durham lost Michael Jones early to debutant Eathan Bosch, but Lees and Bedingham then combined for a 95-run stand to steady the ship. Bedingham fell short of three figures, but Lees continued his serene progress, unfurling the occasional stylish shot en route to his first century since the opening round.
With the platform laid, the dynamic Robinson took center stage, outscoring Lees in their 136-run partnership and reaching his own second ton of the season in 116 deliveries. The South African batter’s attacking approach, which has seen him maintain a strike rate close to 90 this season, was on full display as he blasted four sixes to take the game away from Essex.
“Even the introduction of the new ball did little to halt Durham’s scoring onslaught, as Robinson and Colin Ackermann (58*) rode their luck to add an unbroken 131-run stand by the close of play, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb on day two.”
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