Durham have put together a comprehensive batting display on Day 1 of their LVCC match against Surrey courtesy of a superb performance from Scott Borthwick.
Borthwick made 135, his highest score in the County Championships and combined with Will Smith for a record 183-run stand to lead the way as Durham took ascendency on day one making 309-5, their highest first innings score at home for the season which will continue to grow on day two.
Earlier in the day Surrey won the toss and sent Durham in and got off the perfect start when they claimed the wicket of Mark Stoneman who was bowled by Tremlett in just the second over after the opener hit two boundaries before departing for 8.
Keaton Jennings and Scott Borthwick then got the scoreboard ticking over and stole the show for the morning session as the pair combined for some fine shot making to entertain the healthy crowd which had gathered at Emirates Durham ICG.
The young duo steadied for Durham and put on 69 before Jennings edged to second slip ten minutes before lunch, departing for 35 with Tremlett taking his 2nd wicket of the morning.
Borthwick carried on at the crease looking confident with his shot making, surpassing 50 after lunch with his half century coming off 122 balls and including 8 fours.
He combined with number four Will Smith to keep the scoreboard ticking over and the two put on a solid partnership with Smith also making 50 from 98 balls (9 fours) to edge Durham past 200, 207-2 at the tea break.
After tea the trend continued with Borthwick finding the boundaries with ease and he smashed 4 boundaries off the 63rd over to edge him closer to his third century for the season.
Borthwick reached his 100 five overs later, raising his bat high in the air as he reached the milestone off 199 balls and hitting 16 fours.
Smith too was finding the boundaries to continue to annoy the visitors as he kept the scoreboard ticking over.
The new ball was taken with just over an hour to play and provided the breakthrough for Surrey when Tremlett picked up his 3rd wicket to trap Smith lbw for 87 and breaking a 183-run stand in the process.
The stand was the highest 3rd wicket stand for Durham against Surrey.
Two overs later Tremlett got his 4th wicket dismissing Michael Richardson who edged behind for 7 leaving Durham 270-4 with 12 overs left in the day.
Surrey missed their chance to get their man when Borthwick knicked to first slip but was put down with 8 overs to go in the day.
With five overs to go, Surrey finally got the wicket they were after with Borthwick trapped lbw by Tremlett for his 5th wicket. Borthwick’s 135 lasted 352 minutes and included 21 boundaries.
With only minutes left in day one, Durham sent night watchman Jamie Harrison 1no in to the crease with Collingwood 17no to see out the day, Durham 309-5.