Rashid digs deep after early chaos

10:02pm Thursday 15th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Adil Rashid remained defiant as Durham tightened their grip on the County Championship clash with Yorkshire despite the all-rounder's heroics.

"We're still in this," insisted Rashid, who made a top score of 70 as Yorkshire ended day two at Riverside 228 runs adrift.

Durham somewhat bizarrely decided against enforcing the follow-on with a lead of 212 and the hosts survived eight overs at the end of the day to reach 16 without loss at stumps.

The day had started so brightly for Yorkshire as Michael Di Venuto failed to add to his exceptional overnight score of 184.

The Australian, who was at the crease for over six hours on Wednesday, lasted barely six minutes in the morning session as he was trapped lbw by Tim Bresnan.

Durham regrouped to force their way to maximum batting points by passing 400, with Paul Wiseman in particularly good nick. He eased his way to 60 before being last man out with the total on 406.

Yorkshire suffered an early collapse in reply, with five of their six top-order batsmen failing to make double figures.

The follow-on looked nailed on when Jacques Rudolph was caught behind off Steve Harmison for five to make the score 50 for six.

But Rashid looked immensely comfortable at the crease with a series of fine shots, executing the cover drive to particular success.

He was ably assisted by Bresnan and superb resistance from this pair kept the game alive with an 85-run partnership.

"I'm just happy to have made 50 for the first time this season," said Rashid.

"I'm sure there are more runs to come and I'm happy with the way that I'm playing just now."

Bresnan had made 46 by the time Graham Onions emphatically bowled him, ripping out middle stump and sending it hurtling through the air.

The same bowler then did for skipper Darren Gough to complete a personal haul of five for 75.

Onions and Rashid are no strangers, having both produced wickets for the England Lions last week, and Yorkshire's teenage leg-spin sensation has been impressed with his international team-mate.

Rashid said: "He's a very good player. He's a very clever bowler and knows how to find a good line which is difficult to play against."

Deon Kruis contributed a steady 22 as Yorkshire finished on 194 all out, less than ten runs short of an extra batting bonus point for the third time this season.

• Start or join a debate on this issue in our on-line forum - Click here