County Championship: Will Young & Alex Lees hit tons as Durham build lead over Bears
- Published
The 208-run stand between Will Young (left) and Alex Lees was the highest opening partnership by Durham against Warwickshire
County Championship Group One, Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street (day two): |
Warwickshire 87: Norwell 25, Miles 22; Raine 5-9, Wood 3-28 |
Durham 287-4: Lees 126*, Young 124 |
Durham (5 pts) lead Warwickshire (1 pt) by 200 runs |
Durham opening batsmen Will Young and Alex Lees both made centuries as Durham built on their day one heroics against Warwickshire at Chester-le-Street.
Despite the loss of over an hour's play following rain after tea, Durham moved steadily on from 88-0 overnight to reach the close on 287-4.
New Zealand Test batsman Young made 124, his first ton for Durham, while Lees was still there at stumps on 126.
The Bears managed just four wickets in the day to claim a sole bowling point.
But, for all their dominance, Durham only claimed two batting points.
Young's first century in England - in the last of his three-game stint for Durham - was followed by Lees' first of the season - and also his first against Warwickshire.
That helped to add up to a 208-run stand, which is now Durham's highest opening partnership against Warwickshire, beating the 202 put on by former England openers Graeme Fowler and Wayne Larkins at Feethams, Darlington in 1993.
Group One leaders Warwickshire, who had won two of their first three games, including a thrilling victory over red-ball kings Essex last Sunday, now have two days to battle to save the game, as they bid to recover from being bowled out for just 87.
Durham centurion Will Young:
"The game is poised very nicely for us to get a bigger lead and hopefully get some wickets with the new ball.
"To put on Durham's highest opening stand against Warwickshire is a nice memento to take home. I've enjoyed Leesy's company while I've been here and it was good to spend time in the middle.
"My first game was against Essex and it would have been great to win, but it wasn't to be. A win in this game would be fantastic for me to sign off."
Warwickshire's Liam Norwell told BBC CWR:
"The lads put in a really good shift. It was one of those days where Durham's openers played really well.
"You've got to give all the credit to Will Young and Alex Lees, but it was a great effort from us to limit them to two runs per over for the day.
"We only got one bowling point, but you never know it could be an important one in the end. We've got something to show for our efforts."