Murali Kartik [Images] picked three crucial wickets to help Lancashire restrict Durham to 372 in the first innings of their four-day match at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday.

The left-arm spinner first captured two well-set batsmen, Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein (33), Ben Harmison (48), and then removed tail-ender Neil Killeen (6) to Durham posting a huge first innings total.

Kartik bowled economically, giving away 89 runs off 35.3 overs, which included seven maidens.

With the help of half-centuries by Jimmy Maher (95) and Gary Scott (53), Durham put up a decent total in their first innings.

Apart from Kartik, other prominent bowlers for Lancashire were former England [Images] international Dominic Cork (3/52) and Tom Smith (2/71).