Marcus Harris defies Durham with 35th first-class century

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: Lancashire's overseas batter ended the enthralling opening day at Chester-le-Street unbeaten on 135, while Ben Raine took three wickets

ECB Reporters Network | 24/04/2026 at 18:20

Chester-le-Street (day one of four): Lancashire 356-7, Durham

Marcus Harris' second century of the season for Lancashire defied Durham's pursuit of wickets on an enthralling first day of their County Championship Division Two clash.

An evenly-matched morning session was played out between the two, as Durham took three Lancashire scalps despite a series of dropped catches, with Harris one of the beneficiaries.

The Australian then cashed in across the afternoon and passed three figures in first-class cricket for the 35th time during the evening session, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end, with Ben Raine picking up three of them as Durham chipped away.

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^{Ben Raine was the pick of Durham's bowlers (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

Lancashire were put into bat by Durham at the toss under sunny skies at the Banks Homes Riverside, and the visitors got off to a fast start, but Matthew Potts struck back for the hosts as George Balderson nicked one to second slip.

Harris was given a second life, which Durham would come to rue as Ollie Robinson dropped him on 22 after he nicked a Raine delivery.

Lancashire passed 300, picking up a second bonus point, as Tom Bailey looked to be the latest to support Harris. The tailender held firm as Harris accumulated more runs to reach 135 at close.

Lancashire managed to tick up their third bonus point, and they safely negotiated the final overs of the day, concluding it on 356 for 7.