Nottinghamshire's Paul Johnson and Usman Afzaal capitalised on wayward bowling by Durham in an unbroken stand of 171 at Chester-le-Street.

Scoring at five an over during the afternoon, they took the total to 277 for three before rain cut 32 overs off the day's play.

Coming in to face the second ball after lunch, Johnson looked likely to score a hundred in the session until his onslaught was checked by Paul Collingwood.

Johnson had hit 88 off 108 balls at tea and added one more to stay one run ahead of his partner when the rain arrived.

Many of Johnson's 13 fours were pulled in front of square, and he also hit a straight six off Nicky Phillips.

James Brinkley had Greg Blewett lbw for three in taking one for 27 in seven overs at lunch, only for his six subsequent overs to be thrashed for 44.

Coming in after Guy Welton and Blewett fell in successive overs, Afzaal had ten fours in his 95-ball half century and added seven more against an attack missing Simon Brown and Neil Killeen.

Ian Hunter sent down four wides and Steve Harmison three, one of which went for four, as 32 of the first 54 runs came from extras.

Guy Welton fell for 16 when he drove Collingwood to cover to end an opening stand of 77, then Blewett was lbw aiming to drive wide of mid-on.

Darren Bicknell fell lbw for 45 to a rare straight ball from Harmison, but the fourth wicket pair never looked like being parted.

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