DURHAM will do well to avoid a fifth successive championship defeat today when they resume on 30 for three in their second innings, still 143 behind Nottinghamshire.

With 11 overs to bat last night, they made a calamitous start as both openers were bowled in the first eight balls and six overs later Gary Pratt edged to the wicketkeeper.

The depressing cloud did at least have one silver lining as Durham's attempts to rehabilitate Gavin Hamilton finally produced a badly-needed wicket.

The Scot cut a very disconsolate figure in the morning after being hit for five fours in his second over by century-maker Russell Warren then bowling a wide and a no-ball in his third.

But Jon Lewis gave him two more spells straight after lunch and tea, and after conceding nine runs in his first over of the evening session Hamilton persuaded Mark Ealham to follow a ball wide of off stump and edge it to Andrew Pratt.

It was the ex-Yorkshire all-rounder's first championship wicket for two years, but there was no further joy as Nottinghamshire piled up 523.

On the easy-paced pitch the surprise was that of the 15 batsmen to pass 25 in the first innings only Warren has gone beyond 76, scoring 120 off 152 balls, and like most of the rest he was guilty of self-destructing.

The former Northamptonshire player always seemed to have plenty of time to play his shots, striking many of his 19 fours through the covers off the back foot, including the first two of the five in succession off Hamilton.

The next three were all leg glances and after struggling through his next over Hamilton retired to long leg, where second X1 coach Alan Walker offered some consoling words.

The casual air with which Warren went about his work proved his undoing as a lazy sweep at Graeme Bridge resulted in a top edge to backward square leg.

Durham saw more than enough of one Hussey last season; yesterday they had to contend with his brother.

The Australians who filled their boots against Durham last year were left-handers - Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Michael Di Venuto and Simon Katich. But yesterday there was not a left-hander in sight until Paul Franks came in with Nottinghamshire on 434 for six.

He arrived when David Hussey surprisingly fell for 76, chasing Gordon Muchall's second ball and dragging it into his stumps.

With Reon King and Hamilton struggling, Durham had turned to Muchall almost in desperation and Hussey was infuriated to get out. But he simply cleared the stage for Franks to pile on the misery for Durham with a brisk 41 before he was run out by Lewis with a direct hit from short extra cover.

After three years with Northamptonshire, Mike Hussey has not returned this season, much to Durham's relief as his championship scores against them last season were 187, 72 not out and 43, while he also made 112 not out in the National League at Riverside.

His younger brother does not possess quite the same pedigree, but he matched Kevin Pietersen in a stand of 80 and looked well on course for a century.

Pietersen gave the impression he was biding his time before switching into top gear, but after easing to 52 with only five fours he played round a straight one from King to be lbw.

King struggled with his run-up, running through the crease a dozen times and going for five an over, which left a big weight on Liam Plunkett, Mark Davies and Graeme Bridge.

Bridge was the most economical, conceding runs at little more than two an over, while the seamers found the pitch offered no margin for error.

They had to wait until the day's 18th over before Davies had nightwatchman David Alleyne, a wicketkeeper signed from Middlesex, caught at the wicket after putting on 74 with Warren.

Alleyne was one of five victims in the innings for his fellow keeper, Andrew Pratt, who caught the last two in three balls from King as the visitors were pressing on with a view to declaring.

As it was things could not have worked out better for them as they left Durham with that uncomfortable 11 overs to bat.

Lewis went half forward to Greg Smith's fifth ball, which skidded through to hit middle stump, then three balls later Marcus North was aiming to square leg when his stumps were rattled by Charlie Shreck.

Pratt and Muchall put on 23 before Pratt shaped to drive Shreck through the off side and edged to Alleyne, leaving Nicky Peng to block out the last three overs.

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