NICK Compton equalled the second highest score at Chester-le-Street when he made 254 not out in Somerset’s total of 610 for six declared against Durham.

Michael Di Venuto, who was on 41 at tea with Durham on 52 without loss, made the same score as Compton against Sussex two years ago and the only man to have beaten it was Martin Love. The Australian scored 273 against Hampshire in 2003.

Three visiting batsmen have scored exactly 200 at the Riverside ground, but Compton was the first to go beyond that total in a largely colourless vigil which lasted a shade over nine hours.

He batted better on the first day in reaching 149 and after being dropped off the last ball of the day at first slip he almost edged to second slip in today’s first over.

Durham were convinced they had him caught behind on 151 and 217. Words seemed to be exchanged on the second occasion, when Dale Benkenstein was the bowler, and Compton responded by pulling Graham Onions for the only six he hit from the 434 balls he faced.

Onions was totally out of luck in finishing with two for 145 in 30 overs. He almost had Trego on 78, when a hook to long leg just eluded substitute Keaton Jennings, who was on the field for Ian Blackwell.

The left-arm spinner bowled only nine overs in the innings following a back spasm.

While he was never fluent, Compton didn’t need to be as there was always someone scoring quickly at the other end.

Today it was Peter Trego, who hammered 98 off 100 balls before Scott Borthwick hurried one on to him just above ankle height to gain an lbw verdict and end a stand of 191.

Somerset’s total was the same as Yorkshire made against Durham at Headingley in April last year.