Harry Swindells' century boosts Leicestershire before Rory Burns, Mark Stoneman drive Surrey reply

England opener Rory Burns passed 50 for the fourth time in seven innings this season as Surrey made a strong reply to Leicestershire's big first-innings score on the second day of the LV= Insurance County Championship fixture at the UptonSteel County Ground.

Burns finished the day unbeaten on 74, having taken full advantage of the flat pitch to hit eight boundaries in reaching his half-century off 81 deliveries, and in so doing passing a personal landmark of 10,000 career first-class runs.

It was also a day to remember for 22-year-old Leicestershire wicketkeeper Harry Swindells, who made his maiden first-class century, and for Surrey off-spinner Amar Virdi, who picked up a six-wicket haul from 44.2 overs bowled.

Swindells, who hit 13 fours in going to his hundred off 148 deliveries, became the third centurion of the Leicestershire first innings, but there were some nervous moments, most notably when the persevering Virdi picked up two wickets in two balls to leave the Foxes nine down with Swindells still on 95.

Fortunately for the Leicester-born Swindells, last man Alex Evans managed to see off the hat-trick before Swindells turned a delivery from Jamie Overton down to the fine leg boundary to bring up his hundred.

Neither Burns nor opening partner Mark Stoneman gave a chance as they played through 45 overs, Mark Stoneman joining Burns in reaching a half-century before the close, though in his case it was for the first time this season.

Both will be keen to convert their score into three figures, Burns having failed to do so on any of the three previous occasions he has passed fifty this season.