Middlesex vs Durham Day Three report- Bedingham and Gay make back-to-back centuries

Gay, an articulate, quietly spoken left-hander, isn’t so much whispering as hollering ‘pick me’ to England head coach Brendon McCullum, who should be able to hear him all the way from New Zealand, after a cultured 129, albeit on a featherbed surface at the home of cricket, scene of the first Test against New Zealand starting a month tomorrow.

Bedingham’s own century (147) was more muscular as he and Gay surpassed Durham’s previous best third-wicket partnership record against their respective opponents for the second time in less than a week.

There was agony though for Kasey Aldridge who was pinned lbw one short of what would have been his first century for the county following his winter move from Somerset.

He was one of four victims for the excellent Ryan Higgins (4-99) continuing his fine match after his first innings century. Gay’s audition for what, given Zak Crawley’s indifferent county form, looks an increasingly vacant opener’s spot against the Kiwis showed just about all of what a discerning selector would want to see.

After the game Bedingham said: "At the start of the day we definitely would have taken  that. It was hard graft out there. I know the pitch was flat, but runs weren't easy to come by at times, so I'm glad everyone played their part and I think we are in a commanding position.

"It is amazing playing alongside him (Emilio Gay) at the moment. He is hitting the ball incredibly well and it is always fun.

"I had no idea we'd set a new partnership record (against Middlesex). Me and Emilio were just concentrating on hopefully putting us into a position where we can win this game. It will be hard work, but I think there will be a small chance.

"Last year I didn't play much county cricket because I was injured and then away with the Proteas, so it was quite a frustrating season and back home this South African summer I was injured a lot and didn't score a lot of runs, so it is quite nice to start the season well."