Hameed's double ton puts Notts in charge at Durham

BBC News

16-05-2025

Rothesay County Championship Division One, Banks Homes Riverside (day one)Nottinghamshire 407: Hameed 206*, Slater 52; Yusuf 4-99, Carse 3-64Durham 2-0: Durham (3 pts) trail Nottinghamshire (4 pts) by 405 runsMatch scorecard
Haseeb Hameed's remarkable unbeaten double-century put Nottinghamshire in a strong position on day one of their County Championship clash with Durham.The Division One leaders, who were put in to bat at Banks Homes Riverside, had the better of the morning, with openers Hameed and Ben Slater combining for a partnership worth 104.However, it was Durham's afternoon as four wickets from Codi Yusuf helped the hosts rein Nottinghamshire in.But Hameed reached three figures for the second time this season and he dominated the evening session to reach his second first-class double-hundred and lead his side to a first innings total of 407. Durham began their reply with one over left to bat and they reached two without loss at close.
Hameed's innings didn't go without its chances, but on the whole it was an excellent knock from the former England opener, who was a rock during the Nottinghamshire first innings as wickets fell around him.Durham, who had England quick Brydon Carse in their line-up for the first time this season, won the toss and elected to bowl on a green pitch.However, Nottinghamshire got off to a good start with the bat, with skipper Hameed taking a liking to the bowling of Yusuf as he picked up three boundaries in an over.The opening pair continued to accumulate and frustrate Durham's bowling attack, as they accelerated to their 100 partnership within 20 overs and Slater brought up his half-century with a clip off his legs that went to the boundary.James Minto got the breakthrough soon after as Slater departed for 52, with the opener edging one straight into the gloves of Ollie Robinson.The in-form Hameed then reached his half-century from 71 balls in the final moments before lunch, but Durham struck back after the break as Yusuf got Freddie McCann for 26 when the number three attempted a pull shot but he could only help the ball on its way through to Robinson.
Yusuf struck again to remove Joe Clarke, with the South African forcing the Nottinghamshire man to chop one on to his off-stump and Carse then produced a moment of brilliance to remove Jack Haynes for one, as the former Worcestershire man chipped one up and the England bowler made an excellent one-handed return catch.Kyle Verreynne joined Hameed at the crease and they steadied the ship for the visitors, absorbing the pressure that the Durham bowlers were putting them under.Hameed looked to break the shackles as he got back-to-back boundaries off the bowling of Minto. The former England man then danced down the pitch to George Drissell and launched one down the ground for six.Shortly after, Yusuf broke the partnership and got his third of the day as the dangerous Verreynne was caught behind for a well-made 41. Lyndon James could not build on a nice start as Yusuf got him caught behind for 21 and George Drissell struck soon after to remove Liam Patterson-White without scoring.Despite the wickets falling, Hameed remained calm and passed three figures for the 17th time in his first-class career, but another partner was back in the pavilion when Ben Raine bowled Rob Lord.After tea, Hameed came out and attacked the Durham bowling, taking his side over 300 when he swatted a Raine delivery to the boundary.Brett Hutton remained solid alongside Hameed as they tried to eke out every run they could from their first innings and Hameed reached his 150 as he hooked a Yusuf ball for four.Durham continued to be frustrated as Hutton played a nice shot through the offside to the boundary.Durham took the second new ball, but it had little effect as Hameed pulled a Raine ball for four as he closed in on 200.Hutton then departed at the hands of Carse for a stubborn 32, but Hameed doubled up and reached 200 from 240 balls and he did it in style as he plundered a Drissell ball for six.Carse removed Muhammad Abbas to bowl Nottinghamshire out for 407, which left Hameed unbeaten on 206. Durham had one over to bat, with nightwatch Minto and Alex Lees seeing the hosts through to close.
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