Draw could be enough for Durhampublished at 13:02 BST
13:02 BST
Durham 252 & 322-5 v Middlesex 203
With the matches at lunch on day three, it’s a good time to get the calculators out and look at a few scenarios.
All the key games in Division Two are in the third innings so we know the bonus-point scenarios for the sides in the promotion race.
Durham have collected four, Northants also have four but Kent only got three.
WIN – If Durham beat Middlesex and they currently have a 371-run lead, they will go up.
DRAW – Durham would collect 12 points for a draw. That would be enough if Northants fail to win or Kent lose.
LOSE – Even a defeat for Durham would not matter if Northants lose to Worcestershire.
Given we are on day three of game 12 in a 14-game season, it really is a matter of when, and not if, Durham are promoted.