DURHAM were delighted to see Nathan Astle taking wickets as well as scoring runs yesterday following depressing news about Gavin Hamilton.

It was intended that Hamilton would come into the side as an all-rounder when Paul Collingwood is on one-day international duty, but the former Yorkshire player's bowling nightmare has returned.

He suddenly started bowling wides when playing in a Bradford League match for East Bierley and didn't bowl in Durham seconds' win against Nottinghamshire this week.

"It probably means we need Nathan to perform the fourth seamer's role when Paul is away," said coach Martyn Moxon after seeing Astle pick up three wickets with his medium pace against Durham University.

The students crawled to 228 for nine in 93.4 overs before declaring 49 behind, obviously in the hope that Durham will set them a reasonable target today.

Left with a full session to bat in warm sunshine, Astle quickly set about the bowling and Jon Lewis was rarely far behind as they reached 126 before the New Zealander fell to spinner James Morris for 65.

Lewis remained unbeaten on 58 but lost Gordon Muchall for a duck - only his second failure of the season - as Durham closed on 130 for two, leading by 179.

Left-armer Glen Read was less effective after bowling 31 overs the previous day and Astle cracked him to the cover boundary in his first over then drove him over long-off for six in his next.

Although David Balcombe again bowled well, Durham initially sped along at four an over, providing welcome entertainment for the fans following the turgid cricket of the first two sessions.

Even the prolific Alistair Maiden showed little inclination to put bat to ball in the morning, adding only four in an hour to his overnight 27 before he went for a forcing back-foot shot off Mark Davies and edged to Phil Mustard.

Astle's wobblers earned an lbw and two edged catches as he took three for 20 in 11.4 overs, and there was also a first Durham wicket for Ashley Noffke.

The Queenslander got through 19 overs after his nine-week lay-off with a back injury and Moxon said: "He looks OK. Provided there is no reaction he will play against Kent at Tunbridge Wells on Sunday."

After reaching 71 for one in 18 overs on Wednesday evening, the students added only 15 in the first 18 overs yesterday.

Noffke tried to spice things up with a couple of lively bouncers, but it was the medium pace of Astle and skipper Dale Benkenstein which reduced the students to 105 for five.

Left-arm spinner Graeme Bridge had a 17-over spell without any joy and again it seemed batting down the order was easier as the ball softened.

Stockton wicketkeeper Peter Howells put on 68 for the ninth wicket with Read and the university declared when Howells reached his half-century off 112 balls.

Australian Callum Thorp was unable to bowl because of a stiff neck.

Read more about Durham here.