DESPITE brighter conditions, batting was no easier in the afternoon at Chester-le-Street as Durham struggled to 140 for six at tea, leading by 104 Skipper Paul Collingwood dredged the depths of his experience to survive against the swing and variable bounce, while remaining alert to opportunities to put away bad balls in reaching 44 not out.

Three of the five wickets which fell in the session resulted from steep bounce with left-handers Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick being caught at gully off the shoulder of the bat.

Craig Overton also claimed his second wicket by forcing Michael Richardson to edge to first slip off the back foot.

At the other extreme, Lewis Gregory skidded one through to pin Calum MacLeod lbw for his second duck of the match and fourth in eight innings.

Gordon Muchall contributed 17 to a fifth-wicket stand of 33 before he tried to whip an away swinger from Peter Trego through mid-wicket and was adjudged lbw.

Paul Coughlin joined his skipper on 101 for six and played a few fearless strokes in reaching 22 at tea.