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Marcus Harris’s unbeaten 135 has extended his superb county form, with the Australian opener continuing a record-setting start to life at Lancashire.

Marcus Harris has continued his outstanding start to the English county season, finishing unbeaten on 135 for Lancashire against Durham and further strengthening what is already shaping as a record-breaking stint with the club.

The former Australian Test opener survived two early chances on a difficult morning at Chester-le-Street after Durham elected to bowl, but once settled, Harris made the most of those reprieves with a typically composed and authoritative innings.

Even as wickets fell regularly around him, the left-hander held Lancashire's innings together in a patient five-and-a-half-hour stay at the crease. By stumps, the visitors had reached 7,356, with Harris unbeaten on 135 after striking 19 fours and adding an unbroken 64-run eighth-wicket partnership with Tom Bailey.

It marked Harris's 35th first-class century and his fifth County Championship hundred for Lancashire, continuing a remarkable run since joining the Old Trafford club. He had already opened the season with scores of 125 and 66 against Derbyshire, and his early production has drawn glowing praise from Lancashire staff.

Assistant coach Will Porterfield noted Harris had carried on exactly where he left off last season, with club figures showing he has scored 1,364 runs in his first 24 innings for Lancashire, the most by any player at that stage of a county career with the club.

Elsewhere, fellow Australian Cameron Bancroft was unable to convert a promising start for Gloucestershire in Division Two. The captain made 40 before falling at square leg, though Miles Hammond's unbeaten 140 guided Gloucestershire to 6,287.

At Trent Bridge, England quick Josh Tongue claimed five wickets for reigning Division One champions Nottinghamshire in their clash with Warwickshire. Australian all-rounder Beau Webster made 25 before being bowled, while Warwickshire captain Ed Barnard anchored the innings with an unbeaten 134 in a total of 8,375.

At Headingley, Joe Root's first County Championship appearance of the season began in the field as Yorkshire struggled to contain Sussex, who closed on 6,373. John Simpson finished unbeaten on 101, while Australian batter Daniel Hughes was dismissed early for 10.

For Harris, though, the louder statement came in runs. Again.