Owais Shah was unbeaten on 86, his highest championship score for two years, when heavy rain arrived at Chester-le-Street with Middlesex on 182 for two after 62 overs.

On an excellent pitch, the Durham attack posed few problems for Shah or Stephen Fleming as they shared an unbroken stand of 133 in 37 overs.

Shah's top championship score was 76 last season, but recent signs of starting to fulfill his potential continued in a blemish-free innings.

Michael Roseberry was largely responsible for running out Andrew Strauss in the third over then laboured until the 25th over against his former county. On a much better pitch than the immature surfaces he had to endure during his disappointing spell as Durham captain, Roseberry made 17 before he pushed forward and edged Neil Killeen to wicketkeeper Andrew Pratt.

But Fleming followed his century at Bristol on Saturday by clipping the ball sweetly off his legs and cutting fiercely on his way to 63 not out.

After slow progress in the morning, 97 runs were added in 25 overs before the rain arrived.

© CricInfo