WHILE Scott Borthwick dug in with his 1,000-run landmark approaching, Michael Richardson rode his luck after a sticky start for Durham this morning.

On an overcast day at Lord’s they slipped from their overnight 28 for one to 33 for three before reaching lunch on 99 for four in their second innings.

That’s a lead of 200, which is reassuring considering that batting has not been easy, with Borthwick adding only 23 to his overnight seven.

He needs a further 19 to become the first Durham-born player to score 1,000 championship runs for a second time.

Richardson was out for 40 when he was bowled by Neil Dexter in the over before lunch. Eight of his runs came from overthrows, probably reflecting Middlesex’s frustration, and a further eight from top-edged pulls over the wicketkeeper.

As in the first innings, Tim Murtagh took the first three wickets. Having bowled Keaton Jennings in the first over last evening, he had Phil Mustard caught behind for 25 when attempting a lavish drive.

Mark Stoneman shrugged off his injury scare to come in at No 4 but was out for a duck. He shaped to turn Murtagh to leg and readjusted to the away swinger too late to avoid giving wicketkeeper John Simpson another catch.