McKinney ton helps Durham defy Warwickshire

Ben McKinney's previous first-class century was for England Lions in Sydney against Australia A in February

Rothesay County Championship Division One, Banks Homes Riverside (day one)

Durham 343-7: McKinney 143*; Booth 3-52

Warwickshire: Yet to bat

Durham (2 pts), Warwickshire (2 pts)

Match scorecard

Ben McKinney's excellent unbeaten century gave Durham the edge on day one of their County Championship Division One match with Warwickshire.

Durham had a bad start when they lost captain Alex Lees to the final ball of the first over, but they recovered well with McKinney leading the charge on an unbeaten 143, well supported by Emilio Gay (41) and the fortunate David Bedingham, who was dropped twice on his way to making 58.

The Bears then took the initiative thanks to double-wicket bursts from Michael Booth and Taz Ali either side of tea, but England's Matthew Potts joined McKinney to hit an unbeaten half-century as Durham closed on 343-7.

McKinney impressed on tour with England Lions over the winter and has brought that form back to county cricket. The tall left-handed opener saw out some tough periods but remained calm and composed to post his third first-class ton.

Durham won the toss and elected to bat, a decision which did not look a good one when Ethan Bamber bowled Durham skipper Lees. But McKinney and Gay settled the nerves and the hosts continued to tick along through the two left-handers.

Booth picked up a much-needed wicket when Gay was caught behind but that brought in last year's top Division One run-getter David Bedingham and the South African international looked in good touch as he struck a boundary from the first delivery he faced.

But Warwickshire twice dropped Bedingham, both from the bowling of Bamber, with Smith and Rob Yates the culprit, before Booth trapped him for 58.

Ollie Robinson did not last long as Booth got his third scalp when the wicketkeeper picked out Taz Ali at extra cover for 12.

Ali then got two wickets in quick succession as Colin Ackermann holed out to the legside boundary for 18 and former Warwickshire skipper Will Rhodes for a third-ball duck. A third wicket in seven balls then came when Ben Raine was bowled for by Sri Lankan international Vishwa Fernando.

Despite the chaos, McKinney remained calm and composed to reach his century from 186 balls after a nervy period in the 90s before heaving Bamber over the legside boundary for six to pass his previous career-best score of 121 and, just before the close, Potts passed 50 for the fourth time in first-class cricket.

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay