NICKY Peng's first half-century since making 108 at Derby in April consolidated Durham's position on a truncated second day at Darlington.

They reached 169 for six in their second innings, to lead Derbyshire by 264 runs, and even with more showers forecast they should still record their first championship win of the season.

Peng, who had a top score of 29 in eight championship innings since his century, perhaps had a point to prove.

Only four of last year's ECB Academy members are on the shortlist of 20 for this winter, and neither Peng nor Stephen Harmison are among them.

But Gordon Muchall has been included and he played a celebration shot to the third ball he faced yesterday, edging a lavish drive to the wicketkeeper.

Peng, on the other hand, played very responsibly until he fell for 57 three overs before the close, driving Mohammad Ali to cover.

As he had come through a long battle with Graeme Welch, he probably felt Ali offered easier pickings, but the pacy left-armer was due some luck after beating the bat so often in the first innings.

The ball frequently passed the bat again yesterday, but the pitch inspectorate saw no need to take a second look following Phil Sharpe's visit on Wednesday.

Umpires David Constant and Ken Palmer were also of the opinion that there was nothing wrong with the pitch. But Constant was called into action off the day's first ball, giving out Durham skipper Jon Lewis lbw to Welch for 31.

He had played forward and the ball just brushed his pad on the way to the wicketkeeper, and again the luckless captain seemed bemused by the decision.

Three balls later Muchall edged to Karl Krikken, and with the ball swinging as it had on the first morning, the rumble of thunder was music to Durham's ears.

They had added 15 runs in 5.2 overs when a halt was called with heavy rain clearly only seconds away. Although the covers were quickly in place, the downpour lasted long enough for the rest of the square to become saturated and head groundsman David Measor brought down the water hogg from the Riverside.

It took him by surprise as there had been no rain at Chester-le-Street, which might be seen as just another element of the Sod's Law which seems to accompany Durham. The alternative view is that the loss of 59 overs might help to get the game into a fourth day, deservedly boosting the takings in the tea room and the bar for the Darlington club.

Play resumed under blue skies at 4pm and there were early signs that, as on the first day, batting might be easier in the evening sunshine. Peng's timing looked in good order as he did no more than lean into a straight drive off Kevin Dean which sped to the boundary, while Gary Pratt mixed good shots with streaky ones. The lead had just passed 200 when Pratt fell for 46, lbw on the front foot to the persevering Welch, who after bowling four overs at the football end on Wednesday evening continued for a further 18 yesterday.

While most players favour the positive approach when the going is tough, believing they might as well score whatever runs are available before the death ball comes along, the fans generally believe they ought to dig in. Marc Symington tried to oblige, taking 15 overs to score five.

But it didn't work as he was then lbw to Tom Lungley, who will be 23 this month. Lungley had two big lbw shouts against the out-of-touch Andrew Pratt turned down before Palmer upheld the third.

A thick edge past gully for four gave Peng his eighth four and took him to 50 off 118 balls.

If batting is as hazardous early today as on the first two mornings, Durham will have to pray that Peng has done enough.

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