Afzaal hits electric century

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nottinghamshire made a solid start as Guy Welton and Gallian composed a useful partnership. But with Notts making good progress at 70 without loss, Welton (27) was tempted by a Mark Davies delivery that he could only edge to wicketkeeper Andrew Pratt.

In the next over new batsman Paul Johnson joined Welton back in the pavilion after a Danny Law delivery forced him to offer a catch to Durham's new Australian import Brad Hodge. The two quick wickets were not able to stem the Notts tide as Gallian raced to his half-century off 92 balls.

Afzaal came to the crease and formed a deadly partnership with Gallian and they quickly added 76 for the third wicket. Their stand was ended when Gallian failed to keep out a Nicky Phillips delivery and was bowled for 75.

With Afzaal punishing the Durham attack whenever possible, Kevin Pietersen also added a valuable 37 before a short ball from the persistent Davies drew a mistimed stroke that found the gloves of Pratt.

With Notts on a commanding 223 for four, Nicky Boje tried an ambitious sweep off Phillips and was adjudged lbw to give Durham's attack a shot in the arm.

Afzaal stole the show and reached a superb century off 142 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and two sixes in the process. But his knock came to an end just three deliveries later after he gambled on a third run off a Stephen Harmison delivery and was promptly run out.

Chris Read and Paul Franks compounded the misery for Durham with a tremendous 74-run partnership before Read became Harmison's first victim, edging a good length delivery to Pratt after a hard-earned 39. Richard Logan was then run out for a duck and Greg Smith soon followed after a peach from Neil Killeen who caught Smith wandering and he was adjudged lbw for 10.

The Notts innings was complete when Franks, who made an intelligent and hard-fought 60, was caught at point by Phillips after mistiming a late cut.

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