DURHAM skipper Paul Collingwood yesterday declined to blame umpires Ian Gould and Graham Lloyd for allowing only 14 balls to be bowled on the final day of the match against Middlesex at Emirates Riverside.

Despite a fine morning, play did not start until 1.40, at which point it was obvious that rain was imminent.

When it arrived it quickly turned to sleet but lasted less then ten minutes. Yet at 3pm it was decided no further play was possible and Middlesex departed swiftly to catch a train.

Collingwood said: “It's disappointing, but they are two experienced umpires who have been around a long time. They looked at the action areas and said it was too greasy.

“In this weather the ground doesn't dry. It's frustrating, but we have to take the umpires' advice if they feel it's not safe. They have the last word.”

The 14 balls gave Durham the chance to add ten runs to their 295 for four, giving them a third batting point so that they took 11 points out of the game, compared with Middlesex's ten.

Mark Stoneman was unbeaten on 141 and Collingwood said: “I hear the England selectors want an attacking batsman at the top of the order and he fits the bill. His rhythm throughout this innings was superb and if the bowlers give him any width he will score.

“His batting hero was Michael Di Venuto and he's similar in that he wants to put bowlers under pressure without being reckless.

“I've always been a bit disappointed that people look at the averages and say he isn't international class. This has always been a difficult place to bat, although the surfaces we have had so far this season have been excellent. It's an amazing turnaround, so all credit to the groundsman.”

Yesterday's was the first action since play was halted by snow after one ball of the penultimate over on Monday and off the five remaining balls of Toby Roland-Jones's over Durham scampered five singles.

That took them to the third batting point and in Roland-Jones's next over there was just time for Michael Richardson to clip him through mid-wicket for four before the rain arrived. Richardson finished on 39.