Defiant Latham hits century

TomLatham’sbattlingcentury frustrated Gloucestershire’s bid to take control of their Specsavers County Championship match with Durham on the second day at Cheltenham.

The visitors’ stand-in skipper hit an unbeaten 120 - off 239 balls with 19 fours - remaining rock solid as his side slipped to 105-4 in reply to the home team’s 362 all out.

Thanks largely to Latham’s first ton of the season, Durham were able to close on 2195, but still trailed by 143.

Ben Stokes could contribute only three off 31 deliveries after completing figures of 5-52 from 25 impressive overs in Gloucestershire’s innings.

Durham’s other England bowler, Mark Wood, was still feeling the effects of a foot injury suffered on day one and was unable to bowl.

The day began with the hosts 315-7. Stokes claimed two of the last three wickets but could not prevent Craig Miles (21) and David Payne (19 not out) securing a fourth batting point.

By lunch, Durham had replied with 39 for no wicket, Latham dominating the opening stand with Cameron Steel, who fell for 13 shortly after the interval with the total on 46.

Will Smith could make only eight before departing lbw in the 24th over and Graham Clark followed for 18, legbefore looking to clip Taylor through the on-side.

Latham went to his halfcentury off 117 balls, but the 26-year-old New Zealander was made to fight hard by some accurate Gloucestershire bowling.

Stokes was pinned down in uncharacteristic fashion until attempting to break loose with a drive off Kieran Noema-Barnett and edging the medium pacer to Chris Dent at second slip.

At tea Durham were 115-4, but Latham and Michael Richardson carefully went about repairing the damage, adding 66 for the fifth wicket before Richardson, on 21, carelessly pulled a Ryan Higgins longhop straight to Benny Howell at mid-wicket.