Find out what happened around the country on the second day of the current round of County Championship fixtures
Action from Emirates Riverside on Tuesday
Nottinghamshire vs Somerset
Tom Abell picked up a hat-trick as Somerset confirmed their status as Division One runners-up on the second day of their match at Trent Bridge.
The Somerset captain removed Luke Fletcher, Matt Carter and Harry Gurney with consecutive deliveries, all to slip catches, as Notts were bowled out for 133 on the stroke of tea, a first innings deficit of 330.
Abell’s burst brought him figures of 1.3-1-0-3 to accompany impressive work by Craig Overton and Lewis Gregory.
Craig Overton took four for 27 and Gregory bagged three for 36 as the hosts were dismissed inside 36 overs.
Abell then enforced the follow-on and saw his side reduce Notts to 115 for three in their second innings, still 215 behind.
Surrey vs Essex
Centuries from Simon Harmer and Tom Westley put Essex in complete command against Surrey at the Kia Oval, where the champions ended day two facing their first defeat of a triumphant season.
At stumps, Surrey were 88 for one in their second innings – still 322 runs behind – after Harmer, Westley and Adam Wheater, with a punchy 68 from 105 balls, had swept Essex to 441 for eight declared.
Mark Stoneman, dropped on five off Matt Quinn by replacement keeper Michael Pepper – who dived across first slip but only succeeded in deflecting the edge into Murali Vijay’s left knee – moved confidently to 41 not out from 63 balls although Rory Burns gave Jamie Porter a simple return catch on 21 when Surrey’s captain attempted to flip a short ball to leg but got a leading edge instead.
Worcestershire vs Yorkshire
Gary Ballance has played a significant role in ensuring Yorkshire’s Division One survival and a superb century rescued his side and then tipped proceedings firmly in their favour against Worcestershire.
The one-time England batsman followed up his hundred in the draw against Nottinghamshire and 85 in the victory over Lancashire by holding together the Tykes innings after Worcestershire had been bowled out for 340 at Blackfinch New Road.
Ballance fought a virtual lone hand while completing his third ton of the campaign – and steering Yorkshire past the threat of being asked to follow on – until he was joined by Jack Brooks in a run-laced final session.
The pair added a record breaking 171 in 27 overs for the ninth wicket and shepherded the visitors into a lead that had seemed unlikely when they joined forces at 232 for eight.
It surpassed Yorkshire’s previous ninth wicket best against Worcestershire of 150 by Azeem Rafiq and Matthew Hoggard at New Road in 2009.
Brooks is certainly signing off in style before joining Somerset on a three year contract as he followed up his six wicket haul in Worcestershire’s first innings with 82 before he was dismissed in the penultimate over.
It left Balance unbeaten on a chanceless 189 from 213 deliveries with two sixes and 29 fours as Yorkshire closed on 417 for nine – a lead of 77.
Hampshire vs Lancashire
Lancashire have been relegated but are on course to beat Hampshire.
Lancashire needed to reach a minimum of 300 and beat Hampshire, together with Nottinghamshire fail to reach 200 – which they did - and then lose to Somerset.
But after Fidel Edwards blasted through the tail with the second new ball they fell 27 runs short of the important 300 and their demotion to the second tier was confirmed.
However, Lancashire are still on top of their clash at the Ageas Bowl as they restricted Hampshire to 178 for eight – the hosts leading by 92 runs.
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Warwickshire vs Kent
Centuries from Dominic Sibley and Will Rhodes left Warwickshire strongly-placed against Kent in the Division Two title-showdown at Edgbaston.
Both openers struck their fourth championship centuries of the season as the home side amassed 380, securing a first innings lead of 213.
Sibley made 119 from 287 balls with 12 fours (the former Surrey player's third century in four innings) while Rhodes scored 110 from 148 balls with 16 fours and a six.
Joe Denly (3-48) and Harry Podmore (3-67) did most to restrict the deficit to a point at which their side at least has a toehold in the game.
Kent then reached the close on 38 for one in a match they now need to win to take the Division Two title.
Derbyshire vs Gloucestershire
Derbyshire allrounder Luis Reece delivered a career-best performance with the ball as 17 wickets fell on the second day at Derby.
Reece bagged 7-20 to bowl the visitors out for 163 but Derbyshire collapsed to 157 with Ryan Higgins taking 3-19 and Craig Miles 3-46 in his last match as a Gloucestershire player.
Alex Hughes dug in for 50 overs to make an unbeaten 55 to leave Gloucestershire with a tricky target of 179 and New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson struck twice as they closed on 29 for two.
Durham vs Middlesex
Middlesex have threatened to spoil Paul Collingwood's swansong at the Emirates Riverside with a spirited fightback on day two.
The home side boasted a lead of 106 at the start of the day, and through Gareth Harte they were able to extend their advantage. He notched his second century of the campaign before Durham were dismissed for 310, leaving the visitors with plenty of work ahead of them to remain in the game.
Middlesex were able to haul themselves back into the contest courtesy of a fine partnership between Nick Gubbins and Stevie Eskinazi, eradicating the hosts' lead and handing Dawid Malan's men an advantage of 66 runs going into the third day.
Reports courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network
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