Peng hits 98 on first-class debut

The Durham teenager Nicky Peng fell two runs short of a magnificent century when making his first-class debut against the county champions, Surrey, yesterday. The 17-year-old built a superb innings before being caught off Ben Hollioake on 98.

Going in at 48 for 4 at the Riverside, he was last out with the total on 234, to which the champions replied with 47 for 2 in 28 overs. "It was probably one of the worst balls I faced," the 6ft 2in Peng said. "I just got a bit excited and went for it. I couldn't believe I was out.

"It seemed strange to be facing people I normally see on television, but it all seemed to go really quickly. I started doing three A levels but I left school at Christmas because I wanted to concentrate on cricket. It has taken me by surprise to be playing in the first team and I'm happy to take whatever chances I get this summer before worrying about a contract."

Peng is not on Durham's full-time staff and was playing only because Michael Gough has a back injury. He reached 50 off 104 balls and scored the remaining 48 off only 41 deliveries as he began to run out of partners. It was the highest score by a Durham player on his championship debut, beating the 91 by Paul Collingwood four years ago.

Collingwood initially kept the pressure off Peng, dominating a fifth-wicket stand of 71 with some bold strokes after the early batsmen struggled against testing bowling from Martin Bicknell and Alex Tudor.

Collingwood took three of his seven fours off one over from Ian Salisbury but after making 66 off 104 balls he tried to hook Tudor and gloved a catch to Jon Batty, deputising for bruised heel victim Alex Stewart.

Surrey scored only three in the first 10 overs of their reply and Mark Butcher faced 83 balls to remain unbeaten on 10.