Middlesex vs Durham Day Two report- Raine takes five and Gay impresses again

All-rounder Higgins hadn’t passed three figures since August 31, 2024, but ended the drought with a pugnacious 131, sharing a seventh-wicket stand of 125 with Zafar Gohar (56), who passed 50 for the second innings running.

However, Raine gained reward for his nagging accuracy with two further wickets to add to his three from day one as he returned 5-58, the 18th five-wicket haul of his first class career.

At the other end of the spectrum, 22-year-old Luke Robinson, who came in as an injury substitute for Kemar Roach on day one, picked up his maiden first-class wicket as the hosts were bowled out for 430.

England hopeful Emilio Gay then led the reply with a stylish unbeaten 75 at almost a run a ball as the visitors raced to 135-1 though Middlesex may live to rue dropping him at slip on 24.

Whether England captain Ben Stokes, who was bowling in the nets earlier the day was still in attendance to see his effort remains to be seen.

Raine said: ""We are very happy with where we are at in the game. It's a hell of a pitch, pretty flat and good for batting so we are really proud about keeping the rate down as well as we did.

"It gives us the opportunity to bat once and bat big to then put pressure on them at the back end of this game. That is going to be a big effort from our batters, but we've seen there are not many demons in this pitch and we feel like we are in a really nice position.

"We present a match-ball (for a five-fer) and that's number 18 for me. It's the one I'm most proud of because it was so many overs of I'm not getting a thing here, but having that calmness to put your ego aside, bowling dots and then something might happen."