With Durham 120-6 and well behind Sussex’s total late in the morning of Day 3 it looked as though the match could be done and dusted in the afternoon however the young Durham duo had other ideas as they stamped their authority on the game.
After fog put an early halt to Day 2 at Hove, Durham resumed on a clearer day at 2-0 still trailing Sussex by 162 runs.
Durham’s second innings got off to a shaky start losing the wickets of Stoneman (5) and Borthwick (1) in consecutive overs early on to be 16-2.
Nine overs later the story didn’t get much better for the Champions when Will Smith picked out Nash to give Luke Wright a wicket in the 14th over and Durham were 127 runs behind at 35-3.
Ben Stokes then came to the crease and showed why his name is being talked about in all three forms of the game. The all-rounder showcased his brutal style of hitting to make an entertaining 45 from 40 balls (7 fours and 2 sixes) before Jordan came back into the attack and bowled him, Durham 105-4.
Jordan then struck again soon after as Durham lost the wicket of Collingwood (4) followed by Jordan taking a catch off Anyon to remove Mustard for 5 and Durham soon found themselves well behind at 120-6.
Whilst wickets tumbled around him, opener Keaton Jennings remained composed at the crease and he found a partner in number eight Michael Richardson, the pair putting together a remarkable partnership to swing momentum Durham’s way.
The pair put on 100 together just before the tea break, both notching half centuries in the middle session of the day and giving Durham a 62 run lead at the last break of the day.
They then continued at the crease during the final session, putting on a masterclass as the run rate continued to rise as did the Durham total.
Jennings was the first to make his century coming off 218 balls, his 100 including 13 fours in a composed knock. It was not long after when Richardson also hit 100, his century coming a bit quicker, off 129 balls including 12 fours and 2 sixes.
The two kept reaching targets and got Durham in a strong position, a position which at 120-6 looked unlikely. It wasn’t long after the pair put on 200, that the partnership was broken however with Richarson finding Magoffin off Anyon’s bowling to depart for 129, the record 7th wicket stand finishing on 218 but the lead was out to an incredible 184.
Usman Arshad then came to the crease and motivated by his fellow young team members added to the Durham lead quickly. He added 38 from just 23 balls and finished the other not out batsman as Jennings continued at the crease to finish on 113no, Durham 380-7 with a lead of 216.
It was a remarkable days play and showed the determination and fight that has become a standout quality of this Championship winning side.