Benkenstein keeping his options open

Durham captain Dale Benkenstein knows a draw against Sussex is the most likely outcome at the Riverside tomorrow - but he is resisting the “dangerous” assumption that it is bound to happen.

Benkenstein’s team had LV County Championship Division One champions Sussex 267 for six in reply to 380 by stumps on the penultimate evening of the penultimate round of matches.

Durham’s hopes of snatching a maiden title from under new leaders Nottinghamshire’s noses next week are therefore likely to depend on somehow overturning a 10-point deficit.

But Benkenstein is wary of writing off the outcome here as a draw - for two reasons.

First, if there is any realistic chance of a win, Durham must go for it; and second, he warns they could still be vulnerable to a Sussex fightback if they get sucked into a comfort zone.

“It’s a funny game, so there’s still a lot of life in it,” Benkenstein said, reflecting on a day when his team lost their last six wickets for 55 runs to miss out on a precious final batting point.

Dale Benkenstein insists all three outcomes are still possible for Durham

Chris Nash (96) and Matt Prior (58) then led the Sussex resistance, after their seamers Mohammad Sami (5-95) and Jason Lewry (4-82) had hustled out the home tail.

“If we have a good morning tomorrow and get 250 ahead, it gives us a chance of making something out of it,” added Benkenstein.

“But it’s the same with them; if they get level with us, then they have very skilful bowlers in Sami and Lewry - and the off-spinner [Ollie Rayner] has done well this season too.

“We were 50 for six this morning. So even though it is slim, they have a chance - and we have a chance.”

A first-day washout is the reason an otherwise very competitive match appears destined for a stalemate - and although the pitch is flatter than many have been at this venue, the bowlers are coming more and more into the equation.

“We will bear in mind that all outcomes can still happen. It’s dangerous just to think it’s a draw,” Benkenstein pointed out.

“There’s a little bit in the wicket - it’s starting to turn a little bit, and they are two good sides - so there’s some proper cricket to be played tomorrow.”

Time pressure hampered Durham today, a fact acknowledged by a captain who could see his attack trying to make things happen on such a slow surface.

“I don’t think we bowled as disciplined as we can - because guys have it always in the back of their mind that we need to get those nine wickets [for a third bowling point],” Benkenstein said.

“But I think if you are patient, there is enough out there happening every now and then - if not all the time.”