THE Middlesex attack holds no fears for Scott Borthwick, who completed his second century of the season at Lord’s today. His first was the double hundred he made against the same opponents at Chester-le-Street.

The only wicket to fall in the afternoon was that of Ben Stokes, who contributed 85 to a stand of 176 before he drove at Neil Dexter’s medium pace and edged to wicketkeeper John Simpson.

Durham were 226 for four at tea with Borthwick on 107 and with Lancashire struggling at Hove there was a hint that both sides at Lord’s would be happy with a draw on what appears a run-laden pitch.

Middlesex settled for containment in mid-afternoon and after reaching 161 after 40 overs Durham scored only 17 off the next ten.

Neither batsman took any risks against off-spinner Ollie Rayner, while Toby Roland-Jones also bowled a tight spell.

Steve Finn, however, continued to prove expensive as he dropped short too often on the placid pitch.

A rare half-volley was driven wide of mid-off for four by Borthwick, who edged the next ball for his 15th boundary to reach his hundred off 170 balls.

If any MCC members consider Paul Collingwood a leg-side shoveller they would be surprised when he leaned into the first ball he faced from Dexter and eased it to the cover boundary.

When Finn bowled to Collingwood without any slips the Durham captain cheekily steered him through that area for a single in reaching 18 at tea.