Former South African Test cricketer Simon Harmer welcomed a maiden century for Essex on day two of a key County Championship Division One clash against Surrey at the Kennington Oval in London on Tuesday.

Unneeded with the ball after the hosts’ first innings was limited to a mere 67 all out in 27 overs, Harmer ensured a telling contribution with the bat.

Arriving at the crease at No 8 in the order, after England Test batsman Tom Westley and Indian counterpart Murali Vijay had set a superb foundation, the right-handed Harmer struck an entertaining 102 not out.

His outstanding vigil against a spirited Surrey bowling attack, spearheaded by former Proteas seamer Morne Morkel, featured 11 fours and two towering sixes – and spanned 156 deliveries and 176 minutes. Harmer graduated to three figures by lofting a six over long on off the bowling of spinner Amar Virdi.

The ton was the second of his first-class career, after the 100 not out struck for Eastern Province during the 2011-12 season.

The South African-born Gareth Harte welcomed a second ton for Durham against Middlesex at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. He relished his first, against Derbyshire, at the same venue earlier this year.

Like Morkel and Harmer, seamer Wayne Parnell has signed a Kolpak contract and is unavailable to the Proteas. On a day that saw a relatively lucrative contract with the Cape Cobras severed, Parnell also copped plenty of expense at the hands of Yorkshire at New Road. The Worcestershire recruit gathered ineffective figures of one for 84 in 14 difficult overs. The all-rounder had perished for a first-ball duck on Monday, too.

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