Atherton century sees Lancashire to victory

Mike Atherton was rewarded with his first century of the season as he changed his game to suit the circumstances and led Lancashire to a seven-wicket victory over Durham in a Benson and Hedges Cup zonal game at Old Trafford that was completed yesterday.

The England captain compiled an unbeaten 121 - his highest score in the competition - in an innings of stark contrasts to steer his county past Durham's 214 for 9 with 17 balls to spare. In murky light on Sunday night, he played with exceptional caution, scoring 24 off 72 balls as his side reached 82 for 2 from 24 overs before bad light and drizzle called a premature halt to the day's play. Yesterday, with rain in the air, Atherton was transformed, driving and cutting in fluent style and racing to his fifty off only 21 more balls. After a 20-minute break for rain, Atherton reached his 100 off 136 balls and including 11 fours.

Glamorgan's David Hemp was kept in hospital overnight after breaking three ribs in a collision with his team-mate Hugh Morris while trying to take a catch during Sunday's Benson and Hedges Cup match against the British Universities at Fenner's. Doctors were concerned about the pressure on his lung.