COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO ROUNDUP: Meanwhile, at Bristol, Australia allrounder Cameron Green struck a century as Gloucestershire held off Kent
Cardiff (day two of four): Northamptonshire 185 & 49-3, Glamorgan 424 - Northamptonshire are 190 runs behind with seven second-innings wickets remaining
Four Glamorgan batters passed 50 to put the hosts in a dominant position for a three-day finish against Northamptonshire at Sophia Gardens.
A 141-run partnership between in-form Ben Kellaway and Sam Northeast, scoring 95 and 67 respectively, asserted the lead for the hosts to go with Kiran Carlson's 54 and Timm van der Gugten's 61 on either side of lunch in a ruthless performance to get the hosts to 424.
Andy Gorvin took two wickets in the penultimate over of the day to rue Northants' chances of sustaining the final 14 overs, leaving the visitors 49 for 3 and trailing by 190 runs.
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Ajeet Singh Dale on his way to a career-best return of 7 for 110 for Gloucestershire (Harvey Machin)
Bristol (day two of four): Kent 424, Gloucestershire 307-4 - Gloucestershire are 117 runs behind with six first-innings wickets remaining
Cameron Green demonstrated true grit in scoring a much-needed hundred to extricate Gloucestershire from a spot of bother on day two of the County Championship Second Division match against Kent at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.
Reduced to 139 for 4 in reply to Kent's first-innings 424, Gloucestershire were indebted to their overseas hired hand, who registered a battling 102 not out from 150 balls with 12 fours and a six.
He shared a revitalising, unbroken fifth wicket stand of 168 with James Bracey to steer the home side to the relative safety of 307 for 4 by the close, just 117 runs behind.
Bracey finished unbeaten on 69 from 134 balls, and Gloucestershire are already two batting bonus points to the good.
Jake Ball took 2 for 67 and Nathan Gilchrist and Grant Stewart claimed a wicket apiece as Kent applied themselves diligently in the field, but the visitors will have to make the new ball count in the morning if they are to shift pressure back onto their opponents in a contest which looks increasingly likely to end in a draw.
Lord's (day two of four): Middlesex 232 & 10-0, Leicestershire 274 - Middlesex are 32 runs behind with 10 second-innings wickets remaining
Peter Handscomb returned to haunt his old county as Leicestershire kept their noses in front on an absorbing day two against Middlesex at Lord's.
Handscomb made only two 50s in 21 innings over two seasons for the Seaxes, but added to his century here last season with a defiant 87.
It marked his 100th score of 50 or more in first-class cricket. Ian Holland (37) and Ben Green (36) lent support in stands of 93 and 59 respectively to carry the visitors to 274.
Former Pakistan international spinner Zafar Gohar kept the hosts in touch with figures of 4 for 34, but the missed stumping off his bowling, which reprieved Handscomb on 5,4 may yet prove costly.
Middlesex openers Sam Robson and Max Holden survived a nervy four overs before the close, reducing their arrears by 10 runs in the process.
Lead image: Huw Evans Picture Agency
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