BJ Watling scored an unbeaten innings of 83 on his home debut to guide Durham to a total of 197-6 on day one of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two finale against Glamorgan at Emirates Riverside.

Watling was composed throughout, displaying a solid technique at the crease. He made his half-century in 90 deliveries, while others in the ranks struggled, with Alex Lees providing the next highest score of 45.

Michael Hogan was on point with the ball for the visitors, providing a constant threat. The 38-year-old claimed impressive figures of 4-31, but Watling's stand made it honours even on day one as bad light brought play to a close.

A leak in the covers allowed overnight rain to spill on to the prepared wicket, forcing the action to be delayed and played on the far end of the square at Emirates Riverside. Durham were inserted after an uncontested toss when play eventually began at noon and lost their first wicket in the third over when Cameron Steel was pinned lbw by Hogan.

Lees did find his form, although he survived a close lbw shout off Hogan. Glamorgan notched their second wicket of the day as Lukas Carey found Angus Robson's edge and Kraigg Brathwaite claimed the catch at second slip. Lees and Watling stemmed the tide until the lunch break, and the two players put on fifty for the third wicket in 82 balls.

Lees was on the verge of fifty, but Hogan removed him lbw on his return to the attack as the left-hander left a delivery that nipped in late. Watling was undeterred and continued on his way to his maiden fifty for Durham on his bow at Chester-le-Street. The New Zealander reached the milestone in 90 deliveries, including six boundaries. He forged a useful stand of 45 with Jack Burnham before a rising delivery from David Lloyd accounted for Burnham, who fended to Billy Root at gully.

Glamorgan were able to turn the screw as Sol Bell scored only a single on his first-class debut before he saw his off stump removed by Hogan. The veteran seamer then dismissed Ned Eckersley lbw for seven to notch his fourth wicket of the innings, edging the visitors in front in the day.

Amid the chaos at the other end Watling held firm and was untroubled by the Glamorgan attack, while Ben Raine provided support with resistance in the lower order with a late flurry of runs. Their late partnership worth 36 moved the home side towards the 200-run mark before bad light brought a premature end to the contest on day one.

Durham have signed Cameron Bancroft for next summer.

The Australian wicketkeeper batsman skippered Durham for the first part of this summer before his call up for the Ashes squad.

Bancroft scored 726 runs at an average of 45.37 in nine County Championship matches - adding 377 runs at an average of 94.25 in the One Day Cup.

The Ashes winner returns for the entirety of the 2020 season and will be available to play in all three formats of the game.

Director of Cricket Marcus North said: “We are delighted to welcome Cameron back to Emirates Riverside for our 2020 season. He has had a huge impact on the field with his leadership and undoubted quality through his performances. Cameron has also had an impact off the field as an ambassador for the club with a number of community projects.”