COMPETITION for bowling places in the Durham side hotted up yesterday when they won the second of their one-day friendlies against Lancashire at Old Trafford by 134 runs, writes TIM WELLOCK.

Despite taking three wickets in the previous day's 20-run defeat, Mitch Claydon had to stand down to give Callum Thorp a game and the Western Australian took three for 17 as Lancashire were dismissed for 109.

Like Durham, the hosts were at full-strength apart from their England players but found themselves throttled from the start of their innings by tight bowling from Thorp and Neil Killeen.

Ottis Gibson weighed in by having the dangerous Stuart Law well caught at slip by Gareth Breese, who then took three for 22 in eight overs of off-spin.

There were half-centuries for Durham from Michael Di Venuto and Garry Park as they totalled 243 for five from their 50 overs after being put in.

Di Venuto hit eight fours in making 53 off 59 balls and Park's unbeaten 57 came off 58 balls with two fours and two sixes.

Following the previous day's duck Will Smith made an encouraging 35, while Ben Harmison again shaped well for 25 and skipper Dale Benkenstein made 36.

Durham's final pre-season warm-up game is another 50-over match against Yorkshire at Riverside today, starting at 10.30. Mark Davies and Kyle Coetzer join the Durham squad.