The South African-born Gareth Harte stood at the fore of Durham’s pursuit of a telling first-innings lead, on day one of a key County Championship Division Two fixture against Middlesex at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Monday.

Having reduced the visitors a mere 121 all out, Durham progressed to a balanced 227 for five – and burgeoning 106-run lead.

The Johannesburg-born Harte moved to a solid 76 not out, which spanned 161 deliveries and 230 minutes. The patient vigil, too, featured seven fours.

The 25-year-old Harte, who previously played for Gauteng Under-19, will target a second first-class century on Monday. His maiden ton arrived in June, when a commanding 114 contributed to a convincing 95-run win over Derbyshire, also in Chester-le-Street. That century was scored against a Derbyshire attack spearheaded by South African fast bowlers Duanne Olivier and Hardus Viljoen.

Elsewhere, former Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel snared an early wicket, as reigning Division One champions Surrey attempted a fightback after slipping to just 67 all out against Essex at the Kennington Oval in London. Monday also saw Morkel bought by the Bengal Tigers during T10 League player draft.

Ex-Proteas all-rounder Wayne Parnell perished for a first-ball duck in Worcestershire’s Division One outing against Yorkshire.

Kent’s South African recruit Heino Kuhn fell for just 15 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in Birmingham, while fellow Kolpak cricketer Dane Vilas will be afforded the chance to grow a promising five not out for Lancashire versus Hampshire.

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