Gay boosts England hopes as Durham chase 336 to beat Lancashire

Gay helps Durham chase 336 to beat LancashireImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Emilio Gay has scored two centuries this season for DurhamPublished20 minutes ago9 CommentsRothesay County Championship, Division Two, Banks Homes Riverside (day four)Lancashire 370: Harris 146 & 260-9 dec: Coughlin 100*; Raine 3-50Durham 295 & 336-2: Gay 159*, Bedingham 129*Durham (20 pts) beat Lancashire (6 pts) by eight wicketsMatch scorecardEmilio Gay and David Bedingham scored sublime unbeaten centuries in a record-breaking third-wicket partnership of 290 as Durham successfully chased 336 to beat Lancashire by eight wickets in their County Championship Division Two match.Durham had a challenging start as they lost both openers in the morning session, but Gay and Bedingham led a recovery for the hosts as the runs started to flow before lunch.As the ball got softer and the sun came out during the afternoon session, batting became easier for Gay and Bedingham and their partnership went from strength to strength, as they broke their side's record for the highest third wicket stand against Lancashire.Both made centuries and the hosts chased down an imposing target with ease as Durham reached 336-2, handing the north east county a second win of the season.After being 124-7 in their first innings and heading for a hefty first innings deficit, the partnership cemented an excellent turnaround for the hosts, with the efforts of Matthew Potts also key to that. The victory takes them up to second, three points behind Lancashire, who remain top, but Durham have played one game fewer.The see-saw game between the two likely promotion contenders was set for a thrilling climax on day four with Durham needing 336 runs and Lancashire needing 10 wickets for victory.James Anderson and Tom Bailey settled into their bowling rhythm nicely early on, but Durham openers Ben McKinney and Alex Lees successfully negotiated the best part of the first hour.Lancashire then had their first, with L...