Battling Smith blunts Durham break-through

Ben Smith's patience brought Leicestershire through an awkward day against Durham's competent pace attack led by John Wood (5-60) on a pitch unfavourable to batting in their championship at Leicester. The hosts' innings ended at 222. Smith (111 n.o.), his fourteenth century, was tested by the unpredictable bounce and movement off the seam but attained his first championship half-century of the season.

He contributed exactly half of his county's total, a tribute to his courage and tenacity. And Leicestershire certainly needed somebody of his combativeness for, coming from a hammering by Surrey, Leicestershire lost two batsmen without a run on the board after the first two overs - Darren Maddy was caught at the wicket and Iain Sutcliffe played a short ball into his stumps. Skipper Vince Wells, another early victim, would have doubted his own wisdom in batting first.

Aftab Habib stayed for 14 overs without threatening seriously to reverse the trend. That was 37-4 but Smith, hit about the forearm by a delivery from Wood, started to organise the defence. Yet Darren Stevens (40) seemed to be the most confidence batsman until his 61 runs stand with Smith ended in a catch to point not long after lunch. Simon Katich held two catches at slip from deliveries which rose sharply.

With the Durham bowlers exploiting every weakness Smith bided his time. His first half-century contained six fours but there were only another three when he moved into three figures from 239 deliveries. Leicestershire were 179-8 at tea, after which James Ormond settled down to support Smith over 25 overs in a 49-runs partnership. Durham had time to reach only 8 without loss by the close.

Smith admitted it had been difficult at the crease: "It wasn't easy, especially against the new ball. But we always thought it was one of those wickets where if we could get through the first hour it would get easier".