DURHAM coach Jon Lewis last night paid tribute to Keaton Jennings, who has batted for four sessions to transform the game against Yorkshire at Emirates Riverside.

On 452 for eight Durham are only one short of their record second innings total and lead by 301 going into the final day with Jennings on 185.

Lewis said: “That was an exceptional innings. Keaton is very tired but he'll be raring to go again in the morning.

“For three years he has been as hard a worker as you would wish to meet. He's a very focused guy who wants to be the best he can be all the time.

“But he has found a better work-life balance so he is more comfortable in himself and doesn't put himself under as much pressure.

“We knew they would come at us hard first thing and he did well to get through that. Facing a lot of dot balls is a rare quality among modern batsmen, but Keaton has always had the right mindset to get through the tough periods.

“He has also expanded his game a lot in the last 18 months and could become a top-order batsman in Twenty20 cricket.”

Lewis revealed that skipper Paul Collingwood had made 61 with a broken thumb and if he doesn't field today his place at slip could be taken by Ben Stokes.

“We would need ECB clearance and Paul will want to be out there if possible,” said Lewis. “But if he can't make it Ben would bring a lot of inspiration.”

Stokes has not yet started bowling after his knee operation, but is so keen to get back in action purely as a batsman that he might play for the academy against Stockton on Saturday.

Collingwood is doubtful for tomorrow evening's NatWest T20 Blast match against Yorkshire and Graham Clark is also out with a broken thumb. But Paul Coughlin is fit to take a full part, despite not bowling in the second team match against Lancashire at Brandon, in which he top-scored with 56 out of 193 yesterday.