Johnson slams the season's fastest century

Somerset's No. 10, Richard Johnson, slapped the fastest first-class century of the season, from just 63 balls, as a match that had been reduced to a two-day affair because of rain burst into life on the final afternoon. In the end, a shell-shocked Durham clung on for a draw, but not before a top-order collapse had prompted a major scare.

Johnson, who once took all ten wickets in an innings for Middlesex, added 157 unbeaten runs for the ninth wicket with Aaron Laraman, as Somerset breathed new life into a dead match. He cracked nine fours and six sixes in his innings, and enabled a declaration at 400 for 8, a lead of 169.

Johnson's knock overhauled Scott Newman's previous fastest hundred of 2004, which came from 80 balls during Surrey's match against Oxford UCCE in April. And he was back in the action with the ball as well, trapping Gareth Breese lbw for 5 as Durham stumbled in their second innings.

The wickets were shared around as Michael Burns rung the changes. Gareth Andrew grabbed two; the Francis brothers, Simon and John, grabbed one apiece, as did Laraman, as Durham slumped to 83 for 6. But in the end, the lost time ensured the game would be a draw.

Durham 231 and 85 for 6 drew with Somerset 400 for 8 (Johnson 101*, Laraman 66*) at Chester-le-Street
Scorecard
Day 1: no play due to rain
Day 2: no play due to rain
Day 3 report: Francis duo impress on familiar turf - The Daily Telegraph
Day 4 report: Tait's trauma as Johnson lets rip - The Daily Telegraph