DURHAM were saved by the rain this morning after crashing to 58 for four in the face of some outstanding bowling from Jimmy Anderson and Glen Chapple.

Resuming on 27 for one, Paul Collingwood got off the mark by edging the fifth ball he faced for four off Anderson.

When he cut his England colleague to the boundary in his next over the bowler responded with two bouncers, one of which flew high over the wicketkeeper for four byes.

Collingwood then needed treatment after being struck on the wrist and after making 12 he fell to a superb ball from Chapple, which bounced and left him to take the edge on the way to second slip, where Tom Smith held a chest-high catch.

In the next over another excellent ball from Anderson had Michael Di Venuto caught behind for 12, but the drizzle which had preceded the start was closing in again.

It didn’t arrive quickly enough, however, to save Ian Blackwell, whose off stump was sent flying by Chapple, who was revelling in conditions which had changed again to favour the bowlers after yesterday’s blue skies.

It would be a great relief to Dale Benkenstein and Ben Stokes to head for the comfort of the pavilion with the score on 55 for four after 40 minutes’ play. They had to return ten minutes later, but after three runs were added the rain returned.