Centuries for Habib and Smith in tame draw at Taunton

Ben Smith and Aftab Habib produced a triple century stand for the third wicket as Leicestershire comfortably batted out for a draw at Taunton.

After the visitors had begun the final day on 19-1 in their second innings, still two runs behind, Trevor Ward fell early to boost Somerset hopes.

But Smith, who hit an unbeaten 180, and Habib (149) then added exactly 300 on a superb batting pitch and Leicestershire put aside any notion of a declaration to reach 404-4 at the close.

It was a disappointing finish to a match that had looked perfectly poised after the first two days. But the third-day wash-out doused any hopes either side had of a positive result.

Somerset skipper Jamie Cox used his opening bowlers Richard Johnson and Steffan Jones for the first hour in an effort to make something happen, but then preferred to rest them for the C&G Trophy semi-final against Warwickshire tomorrow.

Smith was first to his hundred, off 135 balls, with 16 fours. In the process he became the first Leicestershire player to pass 1,000 first-class runs for the season.

It was his sixth century of the season and a fine effort, even if the bowling was less than demanding at times.

Habib soon followed to three figures. By the time he gave a slip catch to Mike Burns off Keith Dutch after tea, he had faced 206 balls and struck 20 fours in a stylish innings.

It was too good a pitch on which to set a run chase. Darren Maddy missed out when he skied Dutch to Jones at mid off, having made only six, but Smith moved relentlessly on.

By the close he had hit 22 boundaries in his 274-ball innings without giving a hint of a chance. Both teams took nine points.