Hampshire and Kent both had good days whilst, further north, Yorkshire and Notts are in a battle for supremacy that could go either way. Weather permitting, there should be some good cricket to watch on day three.
Stumps, Day 2 at Trent Bridge: Yorkshire 206-5 (Lyth 81, Root 56*) trail Nottinghamshire 408 (Clarke 112, Slater 76; Olivier 5-96, Patterson 4-78) by 202 runs with five first innings wickets remaining
Duanne Olivier’s first Championship appearance for Yorkshire brought him a five-wicket haul and kept the Notts innings in check after their strong first day showing. Then Adam Lyth held the Yorkshire reply together with 81. Joe Root looks ominously poised on 56.
Stumps, Day 2 at the Ageas Bowl: Essex 25-1 trail Hampshire 525-8 dec. (Northeast 169, Rossouw 76, Dawson 64) by 500 runs with nine first innings wickets remaining
Sam Northeast took his overnight 94 on to 169 and received good support as the Essex bowlers toiled. Bad light curtailed the Essex reply. Sir Alastair is still there!
Stumps, Day 2 at Taunton: Kent 84-2 (Dickson 41*) trail Somerset 171 (Abell 49, Claydon 5-46) by 87 runs with eight first innings wickets remaining
After a blank first day and a delayed start to day two, only captain Tom Abell was able to resist veteran paceman Mitchell Claydon who claimed five wickets in just 12 overs. Kent look to be strongly placed, provided there is enough time left for a result.
