County Championship: Durham and Leicestershire stalemate

Durham and Leicestershire drew as the visitors held off the bowlers, thanks to Sam Evans’ unbroken 77.

Durham declared overnight on 239-2 in their second innings, giving Leicestershire a notional 395.

By the time both sides shook hands, Evans and skipper Colin Ackermann (40 not out) had guided them to 183-2.

Both teams have two draws to open their Division Two seasons, with Durham taking 15 points and Leicestershire 12 points from this match.

Hassan Azad and Evans, the Foxes’ opening pair, started the day with commitment and consistency, with the latter reaching the boundary to set up a 50 partnership in the 19th over.

After hitting 25 runs, Azad was bowled between the legs by George Rhodes, who then went on to give Durham’s Oliver Gibson his first-class wicket.

With eight wickets remaining at tea, Leicestershire needed an implausible 257 runs, and Evans and Ackermann’s unbeaten combination of 84 was the trigger for the two teams agreeing to a draw.

On Thursday, Durham will host Nottinghamshire, while Leicestershire will host Derbyshire.