THE craftsman upstaged the apprentice yesterday as Paul Collingwood stole Gordon Muchall's thunder by scoring his eighth first-class century against the Sri Lankans at the Riverside.

Collingwood, 26 this month, looked like a player who has mastered his trade in reaching a flawless 103 not out, while Muchall survived a shaky start and a few scares to make an impressive 69.

On a day cut in half by rain and bad light, Durham recovered from 17 for two to reach 219 for four in 52 overs.

Collingwood's next meeting with the tourists is likely to be in the opening one-day international at Trent Bridge on June 27, but if any England batsmen are injured he is ready to step in for the three-Test series starting at Lord's tomorrow week.

Compared with his start last season, Collingwood has been below par so far this year with a top score of 76 in 11 innings.

But after carefully compiling a half-century in 75 balls yesterday he switched into overdrive as his second 50 came off only 44 deliveries and included two straight sixes.

On the evidence of his first encounter with Test bowlers, Muchall looks a quick learner, and his appetite for runs earned him a maiden first-class half-century in his third match.

The 19-year-old all-rounder was sent in at No 3 and grew in confidence, finaly cracking two back-foot fours through the covers to reach 50 off 75 balls.

It was tough going against the left-arm opening attack of Chaminda Vaas, who has played in 59 Tests, and Nuwan Zoysa, who had Muchall dropped in the slips on 13.

That was the only chance he gave, but a couple of miscued pulls dropped into space at mid-wicket and there were a few other streaky shots before he settled down with impressive maturity.

His pulling behind square had far more authority and he also drove sweetly through the covers as the third wicket pair rattled along at six an over once the change bowlers came on.

Zoysa, who took a Test hat-trick against Zimbabwe in Harare two years ago, was cut for four by Jon Lewis before tightening up his line and getting past the bat several times. He was unlucky not to take a wicket in his first spell, with both falling to Vaas.

Lewis shouldered arms and was bowled by one which swung in, and Gary Pratt fell in the same over, pushing forward and edging to the wicketkeeper.

When another left-armer, Ruchira Perera, replaced Vaas the shackles were immediately loosened as both batsmen pulled him for four and Collingwood also drove him through extra cover for three in his first over.

There were straight drives as well from Collingwood, and the runs continued to flow when a right-arm seamer, Ishara Amarasinghe, was introduced.

There was just time before a three-hour break for one over of off spin from Thilan Samaraweera, who on this evidence must be a better batsman than bowler as he averages 87 in his nine Tests, with two unbeaten centuries.

The tourists included most of their big names, apart from Sanath Jarasuriya, but a crowd of no more than 200 turned up, probably in view of the unfavourable weather forecast.

When play resumed at 4pm with Sri Lankan hands thrust deep into pockets, Collingwood survived a big appeal for lbw from Vaas on 46 but then on-drove him for his ninth four.

Zoysa returned and twice beat Muchall in his first over before the batsman again tried to force him away off the back foot and edged to Russel (correct) Arnold at second slip.

The same combination saw off Nick Peng for 19 before left-hander Ashley Thorpe kept Collingwood company to the close.

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