IAN Blackwell shook off his poor batting form to defy his former Somerset colleagues as Durham hung on for a draw.

The lead was 88 with 11.5 overs left when last man Ruel Brathwaite joined Blackwell. Had Somerset removed him straightaway they might have had a chance, but five balls later he survived a very sharp chance to the diving Alex Barrow at third slip off Peter Trego.

Blackwell, who had totalled 70 runs in seven championship innings, was also missed at second slip by Trego off Vernon Philander on 25. The left-hander was unbeaten on 38 when hands were shaken with Durham on 234 for nine, 92 ahead.