241 Pizza

After that, there were no more chances from the Tasmanian left-hander but three of his partners perished. They fell not just from the risks inherent in their acceleration but also due to the swing re-discovered by Matt Mason in changing atmospherics.

Gordon Muchall and Dale Benkenstein were both taken in the slips off him, abruptly halting their boundary-chasing.

In the end, Di Venuto took complete charge, collecting his second fifty - out of 70 - in 46 balls. He just had time to snatch the runs required flor his century, with Phil Mustard playing a quiet supporting role at the other end. The five-wicket win may have looked comfortable, but had Di Venuto fallen the visitors would have had a clear glimpse of a possible route to victory. It might well have been a very edgy conclusion.

As it was, the champions were pushed harder than in any game this season, and by a side who lie bottom - and, moreover, were missing three batsmen on account of the England Lions’ demands.

But Durham will gladly accept their fourth successive victory, and the extension of their championship lead to 18 points. The best news for Durham, though, was the resurgence of Liam Plunkett, who took the first 10-wicket haul of his career. “He’s had a frustrating time,” said Geoff Cook, Durham’s Director of Cricket. “Playing for England brought some alterations to his action, and he fell back. We’ve really re-invented the wheel, encouraging him to use his height, athleticism and speed. His 11 wickets turned the match.”

Ryan Sidebottom had little chance to press a final claim for Ashes selection after rain delayed the start of yesterday’s play at Trent Bridge until 3pm. A potentially intriguing final day, on which Lancashire were chasing 393 to beat Nottinghamshire, petered out into a draw. Sidebottom bowled only five overs but claimed the wicket of Karl Brown, who was turned round and caught at third slip as he looked to play to leg. Lancashire had reached 97 for three by the close.

Jon Lewis hit a defiant, unbeaten 61 off 49 balls with two sixes and ten fours at Beckenham but could not prevent Kent from beating Gloucestershire by 76 runs to move within nine points of the second division leaders with a game in hand.

Gloucestershire, needing 332 to win, had slumped to 179 for eight before Lewis joined James Franklin in a ninth-wicket stand of 57, to which Franklin contributed nine. Then Franklin was caught behind off James Tredwell and Steve Kirby was caught at second slip off Azhar Mahmood to give the former Pakistan all-rounder figures of five for 39.

Surrey looked like falling to a surprise defeat by Middlesex yesterday after three days and a session of attrition. Middlesex put their foot on the accelerator at Lord’s and Shaun Udal left Surrey 240 to win off a minimum of 44 overs.

Jonathan Batty went second ball, edging a short one from Steve Finn to Murali Kartik, who took an excellent catch low to his left at second slip. At 55 for five in the 25th over, when Mark Butcher was trapped leg-before on the back foot, Middlesex were favourites to win. But there were surprisingly few dramas once Chris Jordan joined Ramprakash and batted out the draw.

The tantalising prospect of a gripping final day at Derby was washed out by thunderstorms. Leicestershire led by 256 runs overnight with three second-innings wickets standing but play was called off at 1pm without a ball bowled, Derbyshire taking 11 points to Leicestershire’s 12.