Stephen Fleming completed a career-first for Middlesex in their CricInfo championship match with Durham at the Riverside ground today.

He scored 114 to complete back-to-back centuries during a fine 248-run third wicket partnership with Middlesex team-mate Owais Shah. Middlesex were all out for 386 and Durham in reply were 24/1 when bad light stopped play.

Fleming, who has admitted problems at breaking through the century barrier, has already taken huge steps towards rectifying the problem in his English campaign.

The closest he had come to achieving the feat earlier in his 14-century career was back in the summer of 1993/94 when he scored two centuries in three innings.

He scored 105 for Canterbury against Northern Districts then played in a New Zealand XI against the touring Pakistan side and scored 11 in the first innings and 109 not out in the second innings.

Before his century earlier in the week against Gloucestershire, Fleming had gone 39 innings without reaching triple figures, although he was dismissed for 99 on New Zealand's tour of South Africa during the summer.

Fleming has made an impact at Middlesex and a story in The Times this week highlighted that.

Middlesex coach John Emburey commented: "Stephen's very calm and calculating in his approach, especially in run chases. He plans every session-and to be there at the end of it. He'll readjust his sights depending on where he thinks the team should be. He offers a lot in the dressing-room and has certainly helped younger players like Ben Hutton when they're together at the crease."

One of the younger players in the side, Andrew Strauss, was quoted in the story on Fleming.

"He's a very good influence in the dressing-room. He doesn't necessarily say all that much but when he does, the words are carefully chosen and you listen."

And skipper Angus Fraser hasn't minded Fleming's leadership experience being available.

"I'm new as far as captaincy's concerned but he's been just what I would have wanted as an overseas player, giving me ideas but letting me get on with things. It feels as if he's been around for ages now. Whereas things were quite intense with Justin Langer, they are more relaxed with Stephen. The youngsters are expressing themselves better and are not having to worry about being come down on like a ton of bricks."

Fleming said he admired the professionalism of the county players and he said the Middlesex development stage reminded him of where New Zealand was four years ago.

© CricInfo