Coles' ton defies Durham's attack

A RESILIENT unbeaten century from Sussex’s James Coles defied an excellent bowling performance from Durham's Bas de Leede on day one of their Rothesay County Championship clash at Chester-le-Street.

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Ben Raine struck early to give Durham a dream start, but they were pegged back by half-centurion Daniel Hughes. However, he was dismissed after lunch to hand Durham the early initiative.

Coles remained calm and composed to steady the ship in the afternoon and he along with captain John Simpson put pressure on the Durham bowlers. However, the hosts bounced back after tea thanks to de Leede (4/83), who bowled well on his first appearance of the season.

Coles remained at the crease and continued to frustrate the hosts and reached his hundred just before close, with Sussex finishing the day on 322 for nine.

Sussex got off to a bad start at an overcast Banks Homes Riverside as Raine removed the in-form Tom Haines for four as he chopped on to his off-stump.

Hughes responded with a lovely boundary through the covers from a Matthew Potts delivery, but the Durham opening bowlers limited Sussex’s run-making opportunities.

That pressure nearly told as Raine dropped a catch from his own bowling when Hughes mistimed an aerial drive on 15.