When Smith’s battling 194-ball 74 was ended by Murali Kartik, the visitors slumped from 177-3 to 220 all out.
Shortly after Somerset enforced the follow-on, Durham’s title rivals Lancashire and Warwickshire both wrapped up wins elsewhere. But Smith’s 102 not out in a 202-run partnership with Michael Di Venuto has left them well placed to save the game tomorrow.
He is enjoying his partnership with Di Venuto, who was out for 92 shortly before the close, but with opener Stoneman also pushing for a recall says he will bat anywhere so long as he is in the Durham team.
“Batting for me is about going at your own tempo,” he said. “At number three, four, five or six I’d treat it all the same really.
“I’m at an age now where I’ve developed the skills and got the mindset right to develop to any different role. I’m just glad I’ve got the opportunity at the top.
“Rocky’s a brilliant player and I’m sure he’ll play many, many games for Durham as an opener in the years to come. But at the moment I’ve got the spot and I’m scoring runs.
“It helps us being a left-right-handed combination because it disrupts the bowlers and Diva’s world class.
“We know we didn’t bat well enough as a team and there’s enough experienced batsmen to put it right in the second innings. Hopefully we’re some way to doing that with Colly and Benky to come. Hopefully we can pull off a draw from the jaws of defeat.”
At 209-1, with Mitchell Claydon in as nightwatchman, Durham are still 51 runs behind hosts Somerset.
Batting looked easier after lunch, when the wicket seemed to flatten out. Smith warned his team-mates not to take anything for granted tomorrow.
“It was just the freshness of the attack, I think,” he said. “It’s that kind of wicket where you do need to be fresh to exploit any bounce there might be and a harder ball helps. I don’t think it’s going to get any better.
“There are little patches that are breaking up a little bit and the odd one is skidding through.”
Day three highlights will be available from Sunday.