Cricket: Round-up - Smith launches bold assault but cannot save Warwickshire

NEIL SMITH'S attempt to save Warwickshire from defeat in two days against Somerset ended in heroic failure at Taunton yesterday.

Smith scored a magnificent 147, almost half his team's runs, as they were bowled out for 304 after following on behind Somerset's first-innings 364. That left the home side needing only 70 to win, a task they achieved for the loss of two wickets.

Smith's innings lasted only 133 balls and included 22 fours and three sixes in a counter-attack that rescued Warwickshire from 84 for 7 after Andrew Cadick had taken four wickets. He was eventually caught by Peter Bowler off the leg spin of Mushtaq Ahmed, who wrapped up the tail.

Yorkshire's captain, David Byas, was another century-maker, hitting 116 out of 273 for 3, before declaring 80 behind to try to conjure a result against Leicestershire in a match in which the first day was washed out. Michael Vaughan made 77 after opening with his captain, whose innings contained 19 fours from 227 balls. Leicestershire then reached 78 for 2 second time round.

Mike Gatting, the former England captain, helped to keep Middlesex afloat against Durham at Lord's. His 66 dragged his team towards 139 for 6, after Tim Bloomfield had taken five wickets to help Middlesex bowl Durham out for 312, despite sixties from Paul Collingwood, the captain David Boon and Jon Lewis.

Adrian Aymes also completed a century, after resuming on 48, to help build Hampshire's first-innings score of 471 and set up the chance of a first Championship victory of the season for his struggling side, against Glamorgan.