Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Sam Robson, James Vince and Adil Rashid all hit centuries on a prosperous day for batsmen in the LV= County Championship.
By Rob Barnett and Glen Robertson
Live Scores / Follow ECB_Cricket on Twitter
6.40pm - And that's that on day two! Here's how things stand:
Division One
Middlesex are 296 for four - with Sam Robson unbeaten on 144 - against Nottinghamshire, who posted 326 in their first innings at Lord’s.
Northamptonshire are 200 for three in reply to champions Durham’s 452 at Wantage Road in their first game in Division One since 2004.
Somerset are 166 for three in their response to Yorkshire’s 450 at Taunton.
Ian Bell’s majestic 144 helped Warwickshire reach 387 for seven– exactly 300 more than the team posted in their first go – to give them a lead of 245 runs against Sussex at Edgbaston.
Division Two
Alastair Cook reached the close unbeaten on 139 as Essex compiled 297 for five against Derbyshire at Chelmsford. That gives the hosts a lead of 237 in their second innings.
Hampshire are 417 for nine, giving them a lead of 113 against Gloucestershire at Bristol, with James Vince returning 144.
Worcestershire are 41 without loss in their second innings at New Road, a lead of 36 runs against Kent, who were skittled out for 229.
A four from @robbienewts77 takes Northants to 200 and gives the team their first batting point of the season #GoSteelbacks
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) April 14, 2014
6.28pm - Two in two for Taylor! Kyle Abbott is trapped lbw first ball. James Tomlinson manages to survive the hat-trick ball.
Meanwhile, it's stumps at Edgbaston. Ian Bell heads off for a well-deserved rest.
6.27pm - A late wicket for Gloucestershire. Matt Coles nicks Matt Taylor behind for 25, leaving his side eight down.
And that's close: Somerset have reached 166-3 from 56 overs. Hildreth is 16 and Petersen 12. The follow-on target is 301. Big first hour.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 14, 2014
6.21pm - Cook remains unbeaten at the close of play at Chelmsford, as Hampshire record maximum bonus points against Gloucestershire.
Vince falls for 144. His partnership of 155 with Wheater is the highest seventh-wicket stand for Hampshire v Gloucestershire. 388-7.
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 14, 2014
6.12pm - That's that on day two at Lord's. Sam Robson ends six short of 150. having ended in the 140s twice for England Lions in February - the second time he did remain unbeaten - he'll be looking to knock off the remaining runs tomorrow morning.
6.05pm - It's stumps at New Road. We'll bring you a round-up of the day's scores when the players head off at all seven games.
Hampshire 368-7. Vince lbw Will Gidman 144. Wheater 61 not out, They lead by 64 runs.
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) April 14, 2014
5.58pm - Tim Groenewald traps Greg Smith lbw and nightwatchman David Masters can last just four balls before being caught at cover off the same bowler. After that double setback, Essex are 277 for five.
NEW BALL! Derbyshire have taken the new ball with six overs remaining today. Footitt to bowl. @EssexCricket 276-3 (80). Lead by 216 #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 14, 2014
5.53pm - Harrison has his second and Durham's third wicket. Coetzer departs for 51 after nicking behind to Phil Mustard. Northants trail by 286 on first innings.
5.45pm - Plunkett has pounced again and it's Jones who is on his way having made 75. Yorkshire had been bowling down the leg side to Jones and he eventually fell into the trap, caught by Alex Lees at leg slip.
Adam Wheater (53*) has reached his half-century! Hampshire now 344-6, leading by 40 runs. James Vince (129*)
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 14, 2014
5.35pm - It takes until the new ball's fifth over but Sussex have another wicket. Steve Magoffin has struck, finding Barker's edge with Ben Brown doing the rest. Warwickshire are 318 for seven and have a lead of 176. Bell remains unbeaten on 127.
Derbyshire have broken Cook and Ravi Bopara's stand, with the latter holing out to extra-cover off David Wainwright when two runs short of a fifty.
Ouch! Jones has just been hit on the badge of the helmet. He's ducked into a Plunkett bouncer and almost headed it to mid-off.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 14, 2014
5.23pm - Liam Plunkett has a much-needed breakthrough for Yorkshire. Nick Compton is out for 32 after being bowled by the former Durham man, ending a 91-run stand with Chris Jones.
Kyle Coetzer continues Northants' impressive display with the bat at Wantage Road by moving to a half-century. Not a bad way to spend your 30th birthday.
UPDATE - NEW BALL TAKEN by Sussex with Magoffin returning to bowl - Warwickshire - 295-6 - with a lead of 153 runs #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) April 14, 2014
5.10pm - James Vince joins today's ever-growing hundred club. It's the 23-year-old's 11th first-class ton and has helped move Hampshire to within 21 of Gloucestershire's total.
5.02pm - The 132-run partnership between Bell and Rikki Clarke is at an end as James Anyon draws an edge behind to remove the latter for 79. Bell remains on 108 and is joined by Keith Barker with Warwickshire 282 for six, a lead of 140.
Elsewhere, Middlesex are now four down for 247 because Andy Carter trapped Adam Rossington lbw for eight. Robson continues with 126 to his name.
4.57pm - Unfortunately for Northants, Peters is unable to kick on. He’s edged Graham Onions to Scott Borthwick at slip for 51 and the score is 128 for two.
4.48pm - Kent are all out for 229 - a lead of five - as Moeen Ali bowls Mitchell Claydon for his third wicket.
Stephen Peters has reached a half-century for Northamptonshire, who are going well on 123 for one in their first go with the bat since their return to Division One, while Chris Jones has also recorded a fifty for Somerset.
4.40pm - Alastair Cook has recorded a century! The England skipper has been in supreme form throughout the day and records a 46th first-class ton. Essex lead by 162 with eight wickets remaining.
Kent, meanwhile, have lost a couple more wickets. Harmison is gone for 55 to Andrew, who snares Robbie Joseph in the same over for his fourth wicket. Kent lead by three with one wicket left.
UPDATE - And now it's 50* for @RikkiClarke81 with a pull for 1 off Chris Jordan - Warwickshire - 245-5 - with a lead of 103 runs #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) April 14, 2014
4.25pm - Ian Bell completes a hundred at Edgbaston! the staind-in skipper clips Ashar Zaidi through the leg side to bring up three figures. Bell has 13 more runs than the entire Warwickshire side managed in the first innings and is doing a superb job of dragging his side back into the contest.
There will be no hundred for Eoin Morgan, though, as he edges Harry Gurney behind having made 86. But Morgan's 203-run partnership with Sam Robson has dragged Middlesex to within 102 runs of Notts' score.
Gareth Andrew dismisses James Tredwell at New Road, with Kent now seven down and still 15 behind on first innings.
A squirted two to mid-wicket from Compton against Brooks starts the evening session. 69-1.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 14, 2014
4.16pm - Ben Harmison, who hit an unbeaten 51 in a warm-up match against Loughborough MCCU ahead of the season, reaches a half-century for Kent, who are within 25 runs of Worcestershire's first-innings total.
Shantry to open the bowling for this final session.
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) April 14, 2014
4pm - That's the end of the afternoon sessions at Taunton, Wantage Road and Bristol. An intriguing evening lies ahead in our seven games.
TEA: @EssexCricket move onto 193-2 at Tea on Day Two at Chelmsford, that's a lead of 133 runs with eight wickets in hand #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 14, 2014
3.46pm - What a spell for Gloucestershire! Hampshire lose a third wicket in as many overs. Gidman takes his third wicket, bowling Sean Ervine for nought.
Tea is taken at Edgbaston, with Ian Bell eight short of a ton, at Lord's and at New Road.
3.41pm - The old adage 'one brings two' proves correct once again as Joe Gatting does not last long. Matt Taylor sends the 26-year-old back to the pavilion having faced just four balls and Hampshire are 210 for five, still trailing by 94 on first innings.
3.32pm - Harrison makes the breakthrough for the reigning champions. James Middlebrook gets to within seven of a half-century before edging a ball to second slip, where Scott Borthwick holds on. It has given Northants a strong platform to build on; they are 66 for one.
Soon after Durham take a wicket, a former player of theirs loses his. Will Smith is out for 41 at Bristol, ending his terrific stand of 111 with James Vince. Will Gidman struck to take his second scalp.
The first 100 of the season at Lord's has been scored - @Middlesex_CCC 's Sam Robson: pic.twitter.com/d4tJhUafaX
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) April 14, 2014
3.28pm - Sam Robson raises his bat to celebrate a ton at Lord's. He moves to 99 with a four off Peter Siddle, and follows it up instantly with a single. Nottinghamshire do not have an answer to his and Eoin Morgan's stand at the moment.
Kent are now six down, with Sam Billings out lbw to Gareth Andrew.
UPDATE - 50 partnership between Bell & Clarke - Warwickshire - 197-5 - Lead by 55 runs #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) April 14, 2014
3.17pm - A big wicket at Chelmsford as Tim Groenewald removes Westley. Westley's 103-run stand with Cook has given Essex a lead of 101 with eight wickets left, despite their poor first-innings return.
James Vince has a fifty for Hampshire. His stand with Will Smith is rapidly approaching the 100-mark.
150 partnership for the third wicket. Robson 92, Morgan 58. 169-2. #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 14, 2014
3.11pm - Moeen strikes again! Darren Stevens had helped himself to successive fours off the spinner, but Moeen responds immediately to trap him lbw. Kent are five down and are 57 runs behind Worcestershire's first-innings total.
2.58pm - Ryan Sidebottom makes the breakthrough at Taunton, removing Marcus Trescothick's off stump after the former England opener had made 20.
Eoin Morgan and Tom Westley have both recorded half-centuries, as they share fruitful partnerships with Sam Robson and Alastair Cook respectively.
2.42pm - Last season's top two in Division One are in the field, but neither has managed to take an immediate scalp. Somerset have safely survived the first seven overs against Yorkshire while Stephen Peters hits Durham's Chris Rushworth for successive fours as Northamptonshire show their intent early.
UPDATE: England Captain Alastair Cook (50*) brings up his half-century off 95 balls. @EssexCricket 109-1 (31). Lead by 49 runs #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 14, 2014
2.30pm - Moeen Ali makes a key breakthrough at New Road. Daniel Bell-Drummond's patient knock of 61 comes to an end as he is rapped on his pads in front of the stumps. Kent's fourth-wicket partnership was worth 81 and had spanned almost 40 overs. They trail Worcestershire by 97 with six wickets left.
2.15pm - Durham post 452 in the first innings. Chris Rushworth is the last man out, with Azhar Ullah taking his third scalp. The pace attack that caused so much damage in last season's championship will now get their go on the Wantage Road strip.
WICKET..Woakes has gone for 23 as Chris Jordan strikes. Warwickshire are 147/5, five runs ahead of Sussex #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 14, 2014
2.12pm - The landmarks keep coming: Sam Robson is the latest batsman to prosper in today's conditions, reaching 50 at Lord's. Robson and Eoin Morgan have taken Middlesex past 100 as they reply to Notts' 326.
2.05pm - Yorkshire have been dismissed for 450 at Taunton, with Johann Myburgh accounting for Jack Brooks. The White Rose's seamers will now look to cause Somerset's openers some early problems.
Ian Bell continues Warwickshire's fightback by bringing up a half-century at Edgbaston.
Jamie Harrison has fallen for 65 to Muhammad Azhar Ullah soon after reaching his fifty, leaving Durham nine down, while Adams has fallen to Matt Taylor at Bristol.
First first-class half century for Jamie Harrison here at Wantage Road. Big cheers from the Durham balcony.
— Elizabeth (@legsidelizzy) April 14, 2014
1.51pm - Alfonso Thomas has his first wicket of the contest, bowling Steven Patterson for seven, to leave Yorkshire nine down.
A partnership of 45 is broken at Bristol as Will Gidman has Liam Dawson out lbw. Jimmy Adams is joined by James Vince in the middle.
50 partnership. Middlesex 71-2. Robson 37, Morgan 16. 71-2 #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 14, 2014
1.40pm - The sun continues to shine around the country and we're back underway in our seven games.
1.06pm – Here are the lunch scores:
Division One
Durham are 404 for eight versus Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.
Middlesex are 60 for two in reply to Nottinghamshire’s 326 at Lord’s.
Warwickshire are 118 for four in their second innings, 24 behind Sussex at Edgbaston.
Yorkshire are 434 for eight against Somerset at Taunton.
Division Two
Essex are 59 for one in their second innings, one behind Derbyshire at Chelmsford.
Hampshire are 82 for one responding to Gloucestershire’s 304 at Bristol.
Kent are 106 for three in reply to Worcestershire’s 224 at New Road.
1pm – Derbyshire’s Wes Durston dislodges Jaik Mickleburgh and Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond brings up a half-century on the brink of lunch. We’ll soon round up the scores for you.
And @GraemeSmith49 in the nets this morning pic.twitter.com/JSo9TKlL4r
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 14, 2014
12.46pm – That last update naturally prompts a flurry of wickets as Sussex’s Jon Lewis snares Tim Ambrose for 19, Durham’s Breese is stumped for 62 off Andrew Hall and Yorkshire’s Ryan Sidebottom falls to Johann Myburgh, who has his first competitive scalp for Somerset.
Plunkett dropped at mid-on by Meschede off Gregory on 13. 431-8
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 14, 2014
12.41pm – There is a quiet period of play around the shires as lunch approaches. England duo Bell and Cook remain at the crease for Warwickshire and Essex respectively.
#RoyalCricket - Prince William gets bowling tips from #ICCHoF member Sir Richard Hadlee on his trip to Christchurch. pic.twitter.com/1akuLSnjc1
— ICC (@ICC) April 14, 2014
11 - Since the start of 2013 @EssexCricket fast bowlers have taken 11 @LV_Cricket five-wicket hauls, more than any other pace attack. Unit.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) April 14, 2014
CHANCE! Mickleburgh (13*) gets an edge off Footitt but it just goes past third slip. @EssexCricket 33-0 (9); Cook 15*. Trail by 27 #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 14, 2014
12.17pm – More wickets tumble and some high-profile ones too. Yorkshire’s Rashid is caught behind off Overton for 108 and Hampshire’s Michael Carberry likewise goes to David Payne for 27. Durham’s Breese makes a fifty but then sees Usman Arshad fall to James Middlebrook for 20.
Here's the footage of Adil Rashid bringing up his hundred at Taunton http://t.co/MbNFCzA4Mx #YCCC
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 14, 2014
12.04pm – Jonathan Trott’s innings is ended on 26 by Sussex’s Chris Jordan. Trott briefly batted with England team-mate Ian Bell, who has brought up 16,000 career first-class runs. Craig Overton accounts for Hodd on 55, halting an alliance of 108. Middlesex captain Chris Rogers, who had faced Australia team-mate Peter Siddle, falls for 15 to Luke Fletcher who bags Dawid Malan later in the over.
Good to see Alastair Cook batting for @EssexCricket let's hope he stays there for a while! #cricket pic.twitter.com/YgRRFcmtVZ
— Debbie Knight (@debsknig) April 14, 2014
WICKET..Evans is caught in the slips by Michael Yardy from Chris Jordan and Warwickshire are 44/2, trailing Sussex by 98 #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 14, 2014
11.52am – Northants’ Steven Crook has Phil Mustard caught behind for 91, ending a stand worth 96 alongside Gareth Breese. Yorkshire’s Andrew Hodd, who has shared a century partnership with Adil Rashid, raises a fifty and the White Rose soon become the first team in this round to secure five batting bonus points. England captain Alastair Cook, who hit 35 in Essex's first innings, is at the crease again.
Hundred up for Rashid with lovely wristy shot straight of mid-on for four. 102 no out off 167 balls with 17x4s.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 14, 2014
88 - Will Tavaré hit 88 of his 139 on @LV_Cricket debut in boundaries. Here is his wagon wheel. Heaven. @Gloscricket pic.twitter.com/4lUeXUGv3Z
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) April 14, 2014
11.40am – Further to the below Derbyshire tweet, Masters returned 6-46. There have been 20 wickets in a little more than 100 overs at Chelmsford.
And that's it! Derbyshire are all out for 154, with Chanderpaul unbeaten on 75, and lead by 60 runs. Five wickets fell for 15 runs #ESSvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 14, 2014
11.35am – Worcestershire’s Jack Shantry is rewarded for impressive economy with the wicket of Brendan Nash. The seamer has figures of 8-1-12-2.
Not a bad view of the new complex at @WorcsCCC # pic.twitter.com/lTTEwKqQ1R
— David Carr (@DavidCWba) April 14, 2014
Fourth wicket of the morning and this one goes to Graham Napier. Mark Turner plays back and edges to Tom Westley at 2nd slip. 154 for 9...
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) April 14, 2014
11.26am – Tavare becomes Abbott’s fifth victim, for 139, as Gloucestershire are bowled out for 304 . That’s a fine first championship innings from the nephew of former England batsman Chris Tavare, but the Bristol hosts this morning lost their last five wickets for eight runs.
Gloucestershire 304-9 in 101st over. Payne bowled Tomlinson 0. Tavare 139 not out.
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) April 14, 2014
11.19am – Masterful Masters has a sixth breakthrough as he cleans up yesterday’s hat-trick-taker Tim Groenewald. Middlesex’s Steven Finn bags his second straight five-wicket haul by accounting for Andy Carter, and Tim Murtagh soon ousts Luke Fletcher to dismiss Notts for 326 . Hampshire’s South Africa seamer Kyle Abbott gets two in an over as Tom Smith and James Fuller depart. Centurion Will Tavare remains in situ on his championship debut.
WICKET..Chopra is LBW to Magoffin for 2 and Warwickshire are 4/1 at Edgbaston #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 14, 2014
11.05am – Like yesterday, there’s glorious weather around the country and all seven games have started on time.
The first wicket of the day goes to Hampshire’s James Tomlinson, who cheaply traps Cameron Herring in front for his third scalp of the innings. Soon after, Essex’s David Masters strikes twice in an over when he bowls Richard Johnson and has David Wainwright caught behind for nought. Masters therefore has a five-for.
(Random) Image of the morning - The Duchess of Cambridge practicing her batting skills in New Zealand: pic.twitter.com/tzgOdXzSiA
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) April 14, 2014
10.50am – Some breaking news for you: The ECB has today announced Chris Ellison is to stand down from the role of England Physical Disability Head Coach after nearly four years in the post .
A massive well done to Head Coach Paul Grayson who ran the London Marathon in 4 hrs 4 mins & raised just under £2500 for @LordsTaverners ....
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) April 14, 2014
10.40am - Hello and welcome to our live blog on day two of the second round of 2014 LV= County Championship games. Here's how they all stand:
Division One
Defending champions Durham are 265 for five versus promoted Northamptonshire at Wantage Road where Michael Richardson hit 80.
Nottinghamshire are 315 for eight against Middlesex at Lord’s with James Harris and Steven Finn sharing the wickets.
Sussex were 229 all out on the back of captain Ed Joyce’s 117 after skittling Warwickshire for 87 at Edgbaston.
Yorkshire are 342 for five facing Somerset at Taunton, Adam Lyth striking 85 and Adil Rashid 84 not out.
Division Two
Derbyshire are 139 for five , aided by Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 66, in reply to Essex’s paltry 94 in which Mark Footitt and Tim Groenewald split the wickets, the latter bagging a hat-trick at Chelmsford.
Gloucestershire are 292 for five versus Hampshire at Bristol, Will Tavare ending on 135 not out on his senior debut.
Kent are 39 for two , responding to Worcestershire’s 224 at New Road.
“ @AdrianHarms : Sussex players warming up at Edgbaston full commentary from 11 @BBCSussexSport pic.twitter.com/QI8fG3dWDC ” Live Event 12 too...
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 14, 2014