Cricket: Afzaal Brilliance Takes the Shine Off Collingwood's Return

Usman Afzaal is in golden-autumn form, at his languid best, and yesterday he stroked his third century in as many matches after his 147 against Lancashire and 112 at Taunton. Together with Riki Wessels, who also moved into three figures without discomfort, he frustrated Durham either side of tea with a stand of 185 in 43 overs. Unlike the opener Rob White, who began at a run a ball and passed 50 at the same rate, Afzaal took time to settle in before unfurling his sumptuous cover drives. But once he had reached 50 he did much as he liked.

This Riverside pitch has been built for batting but, with the exception of the tall, brisk Liam Plunkett, who was rightfully rewarded with the first four wickets, the Durham effort was listless. There was an understandably bleary effort by the captain Paul Collingwood, who caught the train up after the Ashes celebrations and went for 31 in six overs. Yet, when he returned in the evening, he persuaded Afzaal to top-edge a pull straight to mid-on.

Northants are the only team who can spoil Durham's hopes of returning to the First Division. To do so, however, the visitors need maximum points from this and their final fixture against Yorkshire, whereas, even if that was to happen, Durham, whose championship season ends with this game, need only seven points to stay out of their grasp. A draw would do it and the forecast today is dire. They earned only two of those points yesterday, though.

Northants are without their opener Martin Love, who has a stomach infection, while the Durham fast bowler Mark Davies is resting a stress fracture of the back - this allowed Plunkett to pass him and become Durham's leading bowler of the season, with 49 wickets. Two of the victims, White and Damien Wright, saw their middle stumps spinning, while David Sales's was merely bent back. Plunkett's earlier two wickets were lbw, Bilal Shafayat not offering a stroke and Andrew White only thinking about one. If the weather does allow Durham to scrape another bonus point - or even force a draw - Plunkett's pace will have been a major factor in their promotion.