Ben McKinney Century Guides Durham to 316 for 8 on Day One

When the toss was won by Durham’s captain Alex Lees, he didn’t hesitate to choose batting first on what looked like a decent pitch at the County Ground in Chelmsford. This was the 56th match of the County Championship Division One season in 2025, Essex against Durham in a crucial encounter, especially for Durham, who were fighting to avoid relegation. Durham, sitting near the bottom of the table with just 114 points from 11 matches before this one, needed a strong performance to climb out of trouble. Essex, on the other hand, were in a mid-table position with 126 points from 11 games, looking to solidify their standing.

Durham Innings

The opening pair for Durham was Alex Lees and Emilio Gay, facing up to Essex’s new-ball attack led by Jamie Porter and Shane Snater. Porter, known for his accuracy, started proceedings with a tight over, conceding just a single. Gay, making his mark in the county circuit, looked confident early on. He drove Snater elegantly through the covers for a boundary in the second over, setting a positive tone. Lees, the skipper, joined in with a couple of crisp drives off Porter, finding the gaps in the offside field. By the end of the fifth over, Durham had raced to 20 without loss, with both openers looking settled.

Essex captain Tom Westley rotated his bowlers early, bringing in Doug Bracewell, the New Zealand allrounder, to replace Snater after just a few overs. Bracewell’s introduction brought some swing, but Gay countered it well, flicking one off his pads for another four. The partnership reached 50 in the 10th over when Lees punched Bracewell through point. However, the breakthrough came in the 11th over. Bracewell found the edge of Gay’s bat with a delivery that seamed away, and Matt Critchley at second slip took a sharp catch. Gay departed for 22 off 33 balls, including four boundaries, his innings lasting 46 minutes. The score was 55 for 1, a solid start, but Essex had their first wicket.

In came Ben McKinney, the young talent who had been impressing in recent matches. He got off the mark with a single, and alongside Lees, they began rebuilding. Lees was particularly severe on anything short, pulling Snater for boundaries and driving Porter straight down the ground. The duo added runs steadily, with McKinney showing maturity beyond his years. By lunch at 12:30 PM, Durham had progressed to 98 for 1 after 28 overs, with Lees on 52 and McKinney on 20. The session had belonged to the batters, though Essex’s bowlers maintained discipline, conceding only 3.50 runs per over.

Post-lunch, the pitch seemed to flatten out a bit, allowing Lees and McKinney to accelerate. Lees reached his fifty with a sweep off Simon Harmer, the offspinner introduced just before the break. Harmer, Essex’s key weapon on turning tracks, bowled tidily, but the surface wasn’t offering much spin yet. McKinney grew in confidence, driving Bracewell for consecutive boundaries in the 35th over. The hundred-run partnership came up in the 40th over, a testament to their solid technique. Lees was the aggressor, reaching 94 by tea time, while McKinney had compiled a patient 40.

We pass 250 & have our first batting point. 📈#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/m9EoOhAmtR

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) September 8, 2025

Tea was taken at 3:10 PM with Durham at 185 for 1 after 60 overs. The session had seen 87 runs added without loss, putting Durham in a commanding position. Essex tried Noah Thain, the young seamer, but he went for 19 in three overs, including a no-ball. Critchley also bowled some legspin, but his 10.4 overs cost 30 without a wicket. The evening session started with Lees on 94, just six away from a century. However, in the 50th over, Harmer struck. Lees attempted a sweep but missed, and the ball hit him on the pads.

Umpire Ian Blackwell raised his finger for lbw. Lees reviewed, but ball-tracking showed it clipping leg stump, so he had to go for 94 off 152 balls, with 15 fours, after 201 minutes at the crease. The score was 189 for 2. David Bedingham, the South African batter, came in but lasted just one ball. He pushed forward but a mix-up led to a run-out by Porter’s direct hit from mid-on. Bedingham was out for 0, and suddenly Durham were 190 for 3.

Colin Ackermann joined McKinney, and they steadied the ship. McKinney reached his fifty with a boundary off Snater, showing great composure. The pair added 50 runs for the fourth wicket, with Ackermann driving elegantly for a four off Harmer. But in the 65th over, Snater got one to nip back, bowling Ackermann for 13 off 31 balls. Durham 240 for 4. Ollie Robinson came in next as he started aggressively, smashing Bracewell for three boundaries in quick succession. The partnership with McKinney reached 22 before Bracewell struck again in the 73rd over. Robinson edged a rising delivery to keeper Michael Pepper, out for 15 off 23 balls.

That's that for day one in Chelmsford. (Clark 26*, Conners 18*)#ForTheNorth

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) September 8, 2025

Graham Clark entered the fray, and with McKinney, they pushed the score along. McKinney reached his century in the 80th over, punching Harmer through covers for a single. The crowd applauded warmly. However, Porter returned for a spell and turned the game. In the 85th over, he bowled McKinney with a beauty that jagged back to hit off stump. McKinney out for 121 off 228 balls, 18 fours and two sixes, after 278 minutes, a match-defining knock.

Ben Raine came and went quickly, lbw to Porter for 0 off three balls. Then Matthew Potts, the seamer, was bowled by Porter for 0 off one ball, a first-baller. Porter had taken three wickets in quick succession, finishing with figures of 3 for 63 from 21 overs. Durham slipped from 283 for 5 to 291 for 8. Sam Conners joined Clark, and they saw out the day. Clark, unbeaten on 26 off 59 balls with two fours and a six, played watchfully. Conners, not out on 18 off 46 balls with two fours, provided solid support. They added 25 unbeaten runs for the ninth wicket. Stumps were called at 5:30 PM after 96 overs, with Durham at 316 for 8. The run rate was 3.29, with extras contributing 7 runs.

Essex’s bowlers toiled hard. Porter was the pick with 3 for 63, his accuracy paying off in the evening. Bracewell took 2 for 67 in 15 overs, while Snater had 1 for 64 in 19.2 overs. Harmer bowled the most, 27 overs for 1 for 68, economical at 2.51 but only one wicket. Thain and Critchley went wicketless. Reflecting on the key moments, the morning session saw a solid foundation with the openers. Gay’s dismissal was a setback, but Lees and McKinney dominated the afternoon.

Ben McKinney scores fine 121 but Essex fight back with the ball late on day one at Chelmsford. ⬇️#ForTheNorth

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) September 8, 2025

The run-out of Bedingham was sloppy, costing Durham momentum briefly. Ackermann’s partnership helped, but his wicket opened the door for Essex. Robinson’s brief flurry added impetus, but the real drama came in the last hour with Porter’s burst. Three wickets for eight runs shifted the balance, yet Durham’s total of 316/8 is competitive. McKinney’s innings deserve special mention.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Making a century is a dream for any cricketer, and Ben McKinney turned that dream into reality during Durham’s first innings. The young batter played a stellar knock, scoring 121 runs off 228 balls in a marathon 278 minutes at the crease. His innings was a blend of grit and flair, featuring 18 fours and 2 sixes, with a strike rate of 53.07. McKinney anchored Durham’s innings, guiding them to a solid 316/8 after 96 overs.

BEN MCKINNEY. SUPERB!!! 💙💛

His second first-class century this summer and a third in Durham whites. 👏👏#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Jses00MxBh

— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) September 8, 2025

His century was the standout moment, earning him the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game. Despite losing partners like Alex Lees (94) and Emilio Gay (22) early, McKinney held firm, building key partnerships to steady the innings. His knock ended in the 84th over, bowled by Jamie Porter, who claimed 3 wickets for 63 runs. Supported by Graham Clark’s unbeaten 26 and Sam Conners’ 18 not out, McKinney’s resilient century kept Durham in a strong position.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

In Durham’s first innings, Jamie Porter delivered a standout performance, earning TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game for his exceptional bowling. The Essex pacer bowled 21 overs, maintaining a tight economy rate of 3.00, and claimed three crucial wickets to disrupt Durham’s batting lineup. His disciplined spell yielded just 63 runs, showcasing his control and skill. Porter struck early, dismissing Emilio Gay for 22, breaking a 55-run opening stand. Later, he removed the well-settled Ben McKinney, who scored a gritty 121, and Ben Raine for a duck in quick succession, triggering a mini-collapse.

On target with Jamie Porter 🎯

🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/ZVTdmXBOMN

— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 8, 2025

These breakthroughs in the 84th and 86th overs shifted momentum towards Essex, leaving Durham at 316/8 after 96 overs. Porter’s ability to bowl maidens (4) and maintain pressure was pivotal, complementing efforts from Doug Bracewell and Simon Harmer, who took two and one wickets respectively. Despite half-centuries from Alex Lees (94) and McKinney, Porter’s timely strikes ensured Essex stayed in the contest, making his performance the defining moment of the day’s play.