Fully ripe pods

Tea: Durham 203 for 6 (63 overs). Blackwell 81.

In the last over before tea, Mustard, on 35, drives at Imran and Clarke takes the catch at slip to end a partnership of 91 in 29 overs.

Blackwell, on 74, also edged Imran but Clarke failed to hang on to a very difficult chance.

Before the days of advanced farm machinery the mustard crop was largely grown by hand methods. The plant suffered from many deficiencies and was difficult to harvest. Some types grew to a height of 10 feet or more and could easily be flattened by wind or rain. Harvesting at just the right time was a crucial as fully ripe pods would split and spill seed.

The crop was cut with sickles, tied into sheaves to dry, and then stacked ready for threshing.