COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, The Rose Bowl :
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Durham 435-9 (Durham 5pts, Hants 2pts)
15-18 September 2009

Will Smith hit only his second County Championship century of the season

Will Smith's highest score of a golden season for county champions Durham enabled his side to reach an imposing 435-9 at The Rose Bowl.

The Durham captain batted with typical diligence almost throughout the second day, only to be out in the penultimate over for 150 in six and a half hours.

Relegation-threatened Hampshire need to win to confirm Division One survival.

But Durham, resuming at 95-1, ploughed on despite the early loss of Australia one-day batsman Michael di Venuto.

The Tasmanian added just one run to his overnight 61 before being trapped leg before by his old Derbyshire team-mate Dominic Cork.

Teenage left-arm spinner Danny Briggs then dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul cheaply, getting one through the West Indian's defences. And there was further success for the young man from the Isle of Wight when he sent back Dale Benkenstein.

But Ian Blackwell weighed in with 56, the biggest contribution as all of Durham's late middle order hung around to keep captain Smith company.

At the close Durham, having lost all but 29 overs to rain on the first day, were powerfully placed to continue their unbeaten.

Imran Tahir finished the day with figures of 4-131, going past 50 first-class wickets in the process, while Briggs twirled away to take 3-126 as Hampshire toiled.

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