Hashim Amla outshone returning Durham paceman Steve Harmison by helping Nottinghamshire to establish a firm opportunity to build a first innings lead with a composed 67-run knock.

Amla hit two fours in Harmison’s first over and was largely untroubled by a player who still harbours hopes of a Test recall. Brother Ben later claimed the prized wicket of the South African inducing him to edge to the wicket keeper.

Durham, 79-3 overnight, reached 218 all out in their first innings, largely thanks to an 81-run partnership between Blackwell and Dale Benkenstein.

Blackwell edged to Bilal Shafayat at third slip off Darren Pattinson before Charlie Shreck defeated Benkenstein with a late in-swinger.

Samit Patel’s introduction had an instant impact as Read stumped Stokes and Plunkett found Shafayat at short leg off his bowling either side of Phil Mustard falling to Paul Franks.

Bilal Shafayat and Neil Edwards put on 34 for the first wicket before Plunkett made a breakthrough for the visitors. Shafayat went lbw for 16 runs but Edwards went on to make 33 before playing on to Plunkett. Mark Wagh and Hashim Amla took Notts forwards adding 88 runs before Amla was caught behind by Mustard.

Nightwatchman Steven Mullaney saw Notts through to the close at 191-3.