MCC v Durham drifts to a draw

Date released: 13 April 2009

Durham's Ian Blackwell celebrates his century with batting partner Will Smith on day two MCC and Durham played-out a rain-affected draw in a rather damp curtain-raiser to the English cricket season at Lord's.

Much of the match was affected by rain with the players going on and off the field for bad light as early as the opening day on Thursday,

With many England hopefuls out to impress, Durham's Ian Blackwell was the best performer with the bat. On his debut for his new county, Blackwell scored a century blasting 102 from just 109 balls.

Aftering putting Durham in to bat, MCC's best bowler was Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan with 2/56 as the Champion County declared on 311-4. Captain Will Smith ended on 71 not out.

MCC skipper Robert Key, one of many harbouring England ambitions, was the first man out for the Club. Key, out for just five, was the first of four victims for Durham seamer Callum Thorp.

Thorp also accounted for more England prospects: Stephen Moore (45); Ian Bell (12) and wicket-keeper James Foster (4).

Michael Vaughan spoke extensively and exclusively to Lords.org about his England aims but he too fell cheaply: out for 12 edging Mitchell Claydon to Durham 'keeper Phil Mustard.

Moore's 45 was the highlight of the MCC's innings as the match drifted towards the draw made inevitable by the rain. MCC ended the fourth day on 126-7. Thorp's 4/15 made him by far the match's best bowler.