Bancroft stars, Anderson grabs 950th scalp

Ashes hopeful Cameron Bancroft gave Australian selectors another nudge as the opener top scored with 77 for Durham in their County Championship clash with Lancashire on Monday.

Skipper Bancroft whacked eight boundaries on his way to his half-century as the visitors reached 1-136 on day two at Sedbergh School.

Durham closed on 5-199, still trailing Lancashire's first-innings score by 138. However, it was a vintage spell from James Anderson that brought the crowd to their feet in the final session.

Bancroft was bowled by Anderson to halt his 139-ball knock before Graham Clark was trapped lbw to became the veteran England paceman's 950th first-class victim.

Earlier, Lancashire had closed on 337 all out as Queenslander Nathan Rimmington claimed 4-74.