Victory hopes fade

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper adopted a fearless approach when he joined his captain on 242 for four shortly before lunch, pulling Steve Harmison for six on his way to a 64-ball half-century.

Kieswetter, who played for South Africa in the 2006 Under 19 World Cup, has a Scottish mother and came to Millfield in Somerset for the final year of his schooling. He played for Somerset seconds that year and has made rapid progress.

Durham needed two wickets with the new ball, which was due three overs after lunch, to get into a flimsy tail, which starts with Omari Banks at No 8.

Graham Onions had a good appeal for lbw turned down with Langer on 37, but the Australian left-hander had advanced to 72 before he gave a sniff of a chance.

He edged Callum Thorp at catchable height but the ball perfectly bisected first and second slip.

Durham would be happy with their work on a sunny morning as they took three wickets. It took 40 minutes for Graham Onions to make the breakthrough. Marcus Trescothick had added 15 to his overnight 90 when he shaped to drive on off stump and edged to Gordon Muchall at first slip.

Then there was a wicket each for the two Australians, Thorp and Mitch Claydon. Both bowled well but were unable to shift their countryman, Langer, who made 35 not out during his side’s first innings debacle. He was clearly the man who stood between Durham and victory.

Thorp nipped one back off the pitch to bowl James Hildreth off his pads after the youngster had made a composed 71. Then Zander de Bruyn wafted wide of off stump at Claydon and Muchall took a good catch low to his right.

After the four seamers enjoyed no success with the new ball Durham turned to Ian Blackwell against his former county. But Langer, with whom he was reported to have an uneasy relationship, drove successive balls for four and six, and as both batsmen moved into the 80s the deficit was below 100.