Alex Lees has scored an unbeaten century as Durham posted 159 runs in the afternoon session of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match against Leicestershire at Emirates Riverside, reaching 243-3 at tea.

Resuming on 95-1, Durham and Lees began the afternoon in the same manner as the morning session. The home side eased their way over the 100-run mark and another strong partnership was building between the opener and Angus Robson. However, Robson was trapped lbw by Will Davis for 16 to break their 43-run stand.

Lees maintained his focus at the crease and worked his way towards his century. Peter Handscomb eased the pressure on his partner at the other end. It allowed Lees to move through the nineties before he scored his century with a short-arm pull to the boundary, reaching his third ton of the term from 137 deliveries.

Durham continued to add quick runs as Lees powered a drive through the off-side to bring up the fifty partnership with Handscomb, while he notched a third boundary on the bounce, edging in the gap between Harry Swindells and Paul Horton. Chris Wright ended Handscomb's stay at the crease, pinning the Aussie lbw for 29 with a ball that kept low from back of a length.

The hosts secured their first batting point by passing the 200-run mark with Lees remaining in dominant form. He and Jack Burnham accelerated the run rate to four runs per over amid loose bowling from the visitors, quickly earning the second batting point at the end of the session.