Bedingham eases to 144 as another draw looms
David Bedingham cruised to his second County Championship century of the season to keep pace with Division One’s leading run scorers.
Durham batter Bedingham has 490 runs so far this season sitting just behind Alex Davies, Joe Clarke and Daniel Belldrummond – and boasts an average of 81.66 after a serene 144 over Hampshire.
Liam Dawson got through the most overs he had bowled in an innings – 62 so far – and was rewarded with his 11th fivewicket haul.
Hampshire still lead by 93 runs, as Durham totted up 410-8 in response to 503, and unless something remarkable happens this fixture is heading for a third successive Utilita Bowl draw.
This was Bedingham’s 14th century for Durham, across all formats, and must rate as one of the easiest to reach.
Bedingham forged partnerships with whoever fancied sticking around. Alex Lees had added 97 with him on day two. Nightwatcher Matthew Potts bit into an hour and a half of day three with 70 runs with Bedingham.
Potts didn’t look out of place batting at No.5 and scoring 34 before he chipped Dawson to midwicket.
Ollie Robinson had his record of scoring a half-century in every innings this season ended two overs later when Dawson bowled him with a beauty.
But Graham Clark joined up with Bedingham to ease Durham away from any worries of failing to avoid the followon – becoming the first pair to a century stand, having seen seven fifty partnerships previously unconverted in the match.
Felix Organ finally saw off Bedingham, caught behind with a hint of spin.