DURHAM suffered a second bowling casualty of the match at Trent Bridge when Graham Onions limped off after two balls of his fourth over this morning.

The only consolation of having both Onions and Brydon Carse injured is that neither is in the one-day side and the next championship match is not until the June 20 visit of Yorkshire.

With Paul Collingwood deciding against exposing James Weighell to more punishment after conceding 23 in three overs yesterday evening, the depleted attack came under fire from Brendan Taylor.

The Zimbabwean thrashed four sixes in an unbeaten 82 off 68 balls as Nottinghamshire extended their lead to 344 at lunch.

Leading by 191 at the outset, Nottinghamshire showed little inclination to press on until opener Jake Libby steered a catch to gully after labouring to 42 off 99 balls.

Greg Smith had gone in the first over, lbw to a ball from Onions which kept ominously low. But any fears that the pitch was breaking up were dispelled when Taylor came in after Libby fell to Chris Rushworth.

Following his first innings century, Taylor raced to 50 off 35 balls and Michael Lumb made 52 before he gave Scott Borthwick a return catch ten minutes before lunch.

Although the floodlights were on throughout a chilly, blustery morning, the expected rain held off and Nottinghamshire were 257 for four at the break.