Cricket: Smith stiffens Leicestershire challenge

ROUND-UP

Ben Smith hit a career-best 190 as Leicestershire took a firm grip against Glamorgan at Swansea yesterday. Smith helped the visitors to a commanding 536 and by the close they had reduced Glamorgan to 133 for 6 - still 254 runs short of their follow-on target.

The 24-year-old batsman extended his overnight fourth- wicket partnership with Phil Simmons to exactly 200 in 50 overs before Simmons was superbly caught by Matthew Maynard off Robert Croft for 92. Smith had been at the crease for just over seven hours, hitting 23 boundaries from 328 balls, when he skied a drive against Tony Cottey, allowing the bowler time to take the catch.

Peter Such bowled Essex into a winning position as Somerset were forced to follow on at Taunton. The off-spinner collected 6 for 63 to help bowl out the home side for 246 in reply to the Essex score of 465, in which Graham Gooch had contributed 201. Only the acting skipper Peter Bowler, with a solid 88, showed much resistance as Somerset collapsed from 195 for 3. By the close they had reached seven without loss.