Cricket: Sutton shows his steel
It was another tough day at the Riverside and more frustration for Durham . The Second Division leaders need to defeat Derbyshire to secure their position as the run-in gathers pace, but their opponents are playing well, writes Paul Edwards.
Luke Sutton's batsmen, without a Championship win for 13 months, offered resolute resistance against an attack that often beat the bat but never got the series of breakthroughs they needed. By the time bad light ended play soon after five o'clock, Derbyshire had chiselled out a first-innings total of 288 for seven, a lead of 50 with the captain undefeated on 42.
Northamptonshire face an eight-point deduction after the Wantage Road pitch was reported in an incident which overshadowed a fine innings of 111 from Lancashire 's Stuart Law. The ECB's pitch liaison officer was informed after Marcus North was struck on the elbow by a Damien Wright delivery which rose off a good length. The visitors finished the day on 281 for eight, eight behind on first innings.