Morton ton boosts West Indies A

Durham 310 and 30 for 1 (Lowe 18*, Muchall 5*) trail West Indies A 364 (Morton 105, Dwayne Smith 66, Powell 62, Browne 55) by 24 runs
Scorecard

Runako Morton hit West Indies A's first century of the tour as they made a strong reply to Durham's total on the second day at Chester-le-Street. Dwayne Smith unfurled some typically flamboyant shots in a rapid 66 then a ninth-wicket stand of 93 between Patrick Browne and Daren Powell built a lead of 53.

Durham were hindered by the absence of Liam Plunkett for most of the after he was forced out of the attack with a suspected side strain in his seventh over. He had removed Sylvester Joseph, the West Indies captain, early in the day before adding a further name to England's injury list.

Morton and Smith added 110 for the fifth wicket - Smith's 66 coming from 60 balls with nine fours and three sixes. However, at 271 for 8, a lead appeared unlikely for West Indies, especially given the batting ability Powell (Test average 6.03) has shown at international level. But against friendlier bowling he used the long-handle to good effect and launched three sixes in his 61-ball innings.

Browne also reached a solid half-century before Graham Onions wrapped up the innings to finish with three wickets. West Indies capped a solid day with the early wicket of Gary Scott as Durham began their second innings.