Buttler scores century in tense defeat to Durham.

Buttler's 100 not out was unable to earn Lancashire a vital win as they were bowled out for 312.

Jos Buttler scored his first century for Lancashire but his efforts were in vain as Durham edged a tense Championship match at Chester-le-Street by 27 runs to earn their first win of the campaign.

Buttler and Steven Croft (72) shared a 129-run stand for the fifth-wicket to give Lancashire renewed optimism after they had fallen to 74-4, but when the latter fell the task became too much for the visitors.

Lancashire made 312 in their second innings, but good bowling from Chris Rushworth (4-45) and John Hastings (3-58) ensured that Durham would not let go of the strong position which they had acquired over the rest of the match.

In truth, the visitors will be lamenting two key factors. The ninth wicket partnership worth 150 between Paul Coughlin and Phil Mustard in Durham’s first-innings and the loss of eight wickets for just 61 runs in their own first-innings.

Starting the final day on 41-2, the first hour was viewed as crucial, but the early loss of Usman Khawaja made Lancashire’s task that much harder after he edged behind off Rushworth for 10.

Ashwell Prince (19) soon followed to the same mode of dismissal, this time off the bowling of Coughlin (1-46) and at 74-4 the match seemed to be heading for an early finish, now that both of the experienced overseas players had been removed.

Croft and Buttler’s revival was by no means cautious and the pair accumulated the 50 partnership in just eight overs. Buttler was particularly brutal, striking Scott Borthwick for a six over long-on, before Croft reached fifty in 66 balls.

The morning session had turned out to be incredibly successful for Lancashire, after accruing 124 runs for the loss of just two wickets before lunch. Soon after the interval, Buttler also reached fifty, taking just 51 balls to reach his third half-century for Lancashire this season.

With the score now at 203-4, Lancashire were in control of the match, but a pull-shot from Croft resulted in him being caught at deep mid-wicket for 72, a shot he will now be regretting after such a promising display.

After this partnership was broken, Durham began to grow in confidence and they bowled with tremendous pace and accuracy to fight their way back into contention.

Buttler passed his previous best score for Lancashire when he reached 75 and with Tom Smith at the crease the visitors were now probing, in search of a breakthrough, which would allow them to torment the tail-enders.

Smith (26) has been a dependable figure this season, but Hastings was now bowling with pace and bounce which unsettled Smith and the rest of Lancashire’s batsmen. Consequently, when the opportunity to drive Hastings through the off-side arose, Smith took it, but his edge found Borthwick at gully.

Lancashire were now 245-6, needing a further 95 runs to win and a great deal rested on Buttler to snatch an unlikely victory as he advanced to 90.

Glen Chapple made a brisk 14 before edging behind to a loose shot off Ben Stokes (2-99) and Kyle Hogg was bowled for just one, as Durham took ahold of the match before tea.

Buttler resumed on 92 after the interval, but was starting to run out of batting partners with Lancashire still requiring a further 64 runs to win. Once Buttler had entered the ‘nervous nineties’, he seemed intent upon taking singles, forcing pressure onto the likes of Kabir Ali (26).

These two added 40 for the ninth-wicket, but when Ali was caught by Keaton Jennings at short-leg off Hastings the hosts had made a crucial breakthrough, with Lancashire needing another 31 runs to win.

Simon Kerrigan was nearly run out, after miscommunication with Buttler forced him to scamper back to his mark and the unbearable tension was ended, briefly, when Buttler reached his maiden century for Lancashire in 131 balls.

However, in hindsight many will question Buttler’s decision to take the single which had earned him this milestone, having forced Kerrigan to face Rushworth with the new ball in hand.

Subsequently, Kerrigan was trapped lbw for no score as the home crowd celebrated what seemed like an inevitable win on paper, but to those at the ground, it was far from it.

Man of the match:

A dream debut for Paul Coughlin proved to be one of the deciding factors in a tense game. His remarkable first-innings score of 85 came whilst batting at number ten and match figures of 4 for 88 complimented his efforts with the bat.