All the action on day two of the latest round of LV= County Championship matches as Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Kent took control in their respective games.
By Rob Barnett, Callum Dent & Dominic Farrell
6.22pm - Here’s how things stand as we reach the halfway point of the seven ongoing matches. Join us tomorrow for more of the same.
Division One
Durham are 62 for one in response to Yorkshire’s mammoth 589 for eight declared at the Emirates Durham ICG. Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow scored 124 and 95 respectively for the visitors.
Lancashire are 157 for six in reply to Sussex’s 298, of which Michael Yardy made 133, at Emirates Old Trafford.
Replying to Nottinghamshire’s 440, to which Samit Patel contributed 132, Somerset are 237 for four at Taunton. Alviro Petersen is 62 not out for the hosts.
Middlesex are nought without loss one over into their second innings against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Tim Ambrose scored 167 as the home team made 462 to lead by 295 runs.
Division Two
Leicestershire are 255 for two and have Ned Eckersley unbeaten on 104 at the Essex County Ground. Earlier, Nathan Buck’s 5-76 limited Essex to 281.
Worcestershire are 20 without loss at the SWALEC Stadium, a lead of 105 over Glamorgan who were earlier dismissed for 155 as Gareth Andrew returned 5-40.
Kent are going well on 355 for four after Rob Key and Brendan Nash struck centuries in reply to Surrey’s 285 at the Spitfire Ground.
6.03pm - There will be no more play at the SWALEC Stadium or the Emirates Durham ICG today and stumps are to be drawn across the country very soon.
Robson is safely back in the pavilion having watched nightwatchman James Harris from the other end and we’ll have a close-of-play summary ready for you shortly.
5.59pm - It’s been a superb day with the bat for Leicestershire and Ned Eckersley reaches his century shortly before stumps. He’s 104 not out and Robson remains on 69.
5.53pm - That last Warwickshire wicket means Middlesex openers Chris Rogers and Sam Robson have one over to negotiate before the close. I’m sure they’re delighted!
WICKET - Ambrose is caught & bowled by Malan for 167. Warks - 462 all out #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) May 5, 2014
5.48pm - Key’s fine innings comes to an end on 126 as Dominic Sibley pouches a catch that hands Stuart Meaker his second wicket. Kent lead Surrey by 66 with six first-innings wickets in hand.
5.45pm - Wright registered a half-century but he is stumped off Dawid Malan’s part-time leg-spin for 52. The score is 461 for nine and Ambrose is joined by Oliver Hannon-Dalby with 166 to his name.
Deteriorating light has taken Yorkshire and Durham off the field and that might well be that 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled close.
UPDATE | Leicestershire 230-2 and the new ball has been taken immediately
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) May 5, 2014
5.37pm - Alviro Petersen has a counter-attacking fifty to his name and Somerset are battling impressively on 217 for four at Taunton.
5.31pm - Ambrose and Wright have a century partnership. The latter is six short of fifty and Warwickshire are 450 for eight.
5.27pm - Ryan Sidebottom gets movement off a length and Keaton Jennings edges through to Andy Hodd for nine. Durham are 48 for one with Scott Borthwick the new man at the crease.
WICKET. Nash c Burns b Ansari 126. Kent 328/3 (78.1 overs) Great knock from Nashy.
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) May 5, 2014
5.10pm - Yorkshire are probing for the breakthrough at the Emirates Durham ICG. Jack Brooks beats the outside edge three times in the space of four deliveries before Mark Stoneman flashes one through a packed slip cordon. Stoneman is 32 not out amid 41 without loss.
The gloom also gathers at Emirates Old Trafford and the teams are off with Lancashire 157 for six, 141 behind Sussex. Meanwhile, rain has not been slow in returning to the Welsh capital.
5.06pm - Hold your applause - bad light now in Cardiff! At Edgbaston, Ambrose brings up 150.
5.02pm - Angus Robson moves through to his second half-century of the season and Leicestershire are 211 for two, 70 behind Essex.
Good news from the SWALEC Stadium, where the teams are back out with no overs lost.
CENTURY FOR NASHY! 100 comes from 125 balls including 17 4s. Kent 294/2 @LV_Cricketpic.twitter.com/0G1cPnRdpb
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) May 5, 2014
4.56 - Warwickshire tailender Chris Wright is proving a fine foil for centurion Tim Ambrose. He has 25 and the wicketkeeper is 142 not out. The stand of 62 moves the hosts' score to 410 for eight - 243 ahead of Middlesex on first innings.
4.52pm - Andy Carter has the first wicket of the evening session for Nottinghamshire at Taunton, pinning James Hildreth lbw for 12 with a full, straight delivery.
4.49pm - Unfortunately they’re off for rain in Cardiff. Worcestershire are 20 without loss to lead by 105.
4.42pm - Brendan Nash is eight runs away from joining skipper Rob Key in reaching three figures. Kent’s third-wicket partnership is worth 148 and they are just six behind Surrey’s first-innings total.
4.33pm - All games are in progress around the country, with Durham and Worcestershire making untroubled starts to their first and second innings respectively.
CENTURY FOR ROB KEY!! 101* came from 161 balls with 12 4s. #whataday
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) May 5, 2014
WICKET - Warks 348-8. Jones LBW Harris 15. #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) May 5, 2014
4.13pm - Lancashire reach tea having mounted a recovery of sorts. Tom Smith and Alex Davies have 37 and 26 respectively and boast a fifty partnership. They are far from out of the woods as the scoreboard shows 134 for six.
Bresnan’s stay is a brief one as Graham Onions draws the edge behind, before pinning Liam Plunkett in front first ball. But the Durham seamer must wait for his hat-trick ball as Yorkshire declare on 589 for eight.
4.10pm - Tea is taken at Taunton with four runs added since the last wicket.
Yorkshire appear to have been told to get on with it at Durham. Adil Rashid aims a couple of lusty shots through the on side before greeting the third new ball with a mighty straight six off Chris Rushworth. But he falls next delivery for 68, Kumar Sangakkara pouching at deep extra-cover. Tim Bresnan comes in with the score 588 for six.
Wicket: Siddle finally sees off Trescothick, caught behind by Chris Read for 72. Somerset 153-3 #SomvNotts
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) May 5, 2014
3.45pm – Tea is starting to be taken at most of the matches around the country.
And that's tea: Yorkshire have reached 568-5 from 160 overs. Rashid is 54 and Hodd 35.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) May 5, 2014
3.41pm – Ambrose has a century for Warwickshire. The wicketkeeper-batsman follows Patel to three figures and continues to frustrate Middlesex.
Glamorgan are 155 all out as Andrew completes figures of 5-40 with the scalp of Tom Helm for four, handing Worcestershire a lead of 85.
Chris Nash reaches a half-century for Kent, who are just 66 behind Surrey now.
50 for Mark Wallace from 78 balls.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) May 5, 2014
Leicestershire 150 for 2 and there are two overs until tea. Tymal Mills .has limped off the field with what appears to be a side injury....
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) May 5, 2014
3.33pm – Kent are making sound progress at the Spitfire Ground. They are 85 runs behind on 200 for two. Key is unbeaten on 83.
Rashid is 51 not out at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Ajmal is ripping through the Glamorgan tail as Worcestershire close in on a first-innings lead. The Pakistan spinner's third wicket is Will Owen, caught by Alex Hales at square-leg for a duck, reducing the Welsh county to 149 for nine.
Another wicket for Ajmal as Cosker departs l.b.w. Glam 145/8.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) May 5, 2014
Floodlights are coming on as its gone a bit dull, @LancsCCC 90-6 (40ov) Smith 19* Davies 5* with 43 overs left today #LancsvSus
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) May 5, 2014
3.22pm – Durham's poor fielding lets Yorkshire off the hook again. Mark Stoneman drops a simple chance at midwicket to hand Adil Rashid a life.
Graham Wagg departs for 19 at the SWALEC Stadium to leave Glamorgan struggling on 142 for seven.
Leicestershire's Ned Eckersley reaches a half-century at the Essex County Ground.
Wicket: Steven Mullaney sends Compton back, flashing to Riki Wessels at slip. 105-2 #SomvNotts
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) May 5, 2014
3.11pm – Hundred for Patel and out! The Warwickshire number eight reaches the milestone, but is then dismissed three balls later by Joe Denly for 105 at Edgbaston. The hosts are 315 for seven, 148 ahead of Middlesex.
View of the middle @kentcricketpic.twitter.com/TjfhOFTZ2A
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) May 5, 2014
3.02pm – Monty Panesar picks up a wicket at the Essex County Ground. The left-arm spinner dismisses Smith for 59 to leave Leicestershire, trailing by 165, 116 for two.
Lancashire lose another, this time Luke Procter is trapped in front by Ashar Zaidi for 26.
Trescothick's fine form shows no sign of stopping as he follows up a hundred in the last game with a half-century at Taunton. Somerset reach 100 soon after.
Warks 292-6, lead by 125. Ambrose 81*, Patel 91*, partnership 152. #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) May 5, 2014
2.53pm – Allenby's 52-run stand with Wallace ends when the former succumbs to Saeed Ajmal. Glamorgan are still 133 behind on 107 for six.
5 - @NathanBuck17's 5-76 for @leicsccc against Essex were his best first-class bowling figures. Breakthrough.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) May 5, 2014
2.41pm – Yorkshire keep motoring along at the Emirates Durham ICG, passing 500 in the 142nd over. But they lose Gale for 124 in the next set of six, the left-hander's fine edge taken by Phil Mustard off Keaton Jennings.
Greg Smith has a half-century at the Essex County Ground, with Leicestershire on 95 for one.
Mark Wallace and Jim Allenby's sixth-wicket stand is frustrating Worcestershire, the pair taking Glamorgan into three figures.
2.32pm – Kent are two down at the Spitfire Ground. Matt Dunn bowls former England Under-19 international Daniel Bell-Drummond for 11 and the home side are 131 for two in response to Surrey's 285.
Rashid edges wide of slip for four. Collingwood a frustrated bowler. 482-4.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) May 5, 2014
2.21pm – Lancashire's batting troubles continue at Emirates Old Trafford. Ashwell Prince and Steven Croft, on his return to the side, both fall to James Anyon in the space of five balls to leave the Red Rose 250 runs behind on 48 for five.
Half century for Rob Key. 53 came from 90 balls with 7 4s. Kent 112/1 (32.3 overs)
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) May 5, 2014
2.10pm – Marcus Trescothick smashes 14 off three Peter Siddle balls before the Australia paceman responds to bowl Chris Jones for 20. Nottinghamshire suffer a blow though with Jake Ball leaving the field due to injury.
Patel and Tim Ambrose's partnership reaches three figures at Edgbaston as Warwickshire extend their lead to 83.
The Somerset 50 is brought up with a huge 6 into the Somerset Stand. Tres 32*, Jonesy 19*
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) May 5, 2014
1.57pm – Jonny Bairstow fails to become the third Yorkshire centurion, falling lbw to Chris Rushworth for 95. The wicketkeeper-batsman's stand with Gale was worth 198.
Stuart Meaker checks Kent's progress by dismissing Sam Northeast for 53, ending a 101-run opening partnership with Rob Key.
Andrew continues to terrorise Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium, snaring his fourth scalp to leave the hosts 55 for five in reply to Worcestershire's first-innings 240. Will Bragg departs for 24.
And Rob Key moves past 18,000 First Class Runs...batted
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) May 5, 2014
1.47pm – Century for Andrew Gale. The Yorkshire skipper flicks a single into the leg side off his hip to reach the milestone on his return to the side.
Jeetan Patel reaches a half-century at Edgbaston as Warwickshire continue to build a lead.
Sussex's Steve Magoffin and Gareth Andrew of Worcestershire claim their third wickets, removing Lancashire's Karl Brown and Glamorgan's Stewart Walters respectively.
SHOTS OF THE ACTION: @newbytime takes his first wicket for Essex on day 2 v @leicsccc! Photo- @UnshakenPhoto#EssvLeipic.twitter.com/TRp4JIQSAa
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) May 5, 2014
And here is @alfonsothomas acknowledging his five wicket haul ealier pic.twitter.com/QhAcUDRLZd
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) May 5, 2014
1.07pm – Here are the lunch scores:
Division One
Yorkshire, thanks to an unbroken stand of 194 between Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow who are both nearing centuries, are 451 for three versus Durham at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Lancashire are 32 for two in reply to Sussex’s 298, of which Michael Yardy made 133, at Emirates Old Trafford.
Replying to Nottinghamshire’s 440, to which Samit Patel contributed 132, Somerset are 27 for no wicket at Taunton.
Warwickshire are 216 for six at Edgbaston, a first-innings lead of 49 over Middlesex.
Division Two
Leicestershire are 61 for one after Nathan Buck’s 5-76 limited Essex to 281 at the Essex County Ground.
Glamorgan are teetering on 54 for three at the SWALEC Stadium in response to Worcestershire’s 240, in which Daryl Mitchell made 109 and Dean Cosker took 5-39.
Kent are going well on 85 without loss in reply to Surrey’s 285 at the Spitfire Ground.
1.04pm – The interval arrives in all seven games. We’ll soon round up the scores.
12.57pm – With lunch approaching, Scott Borthwick cannot hold a difficult chance to his left at slip as Gale survives on 92 against Paul Collingwood.
Tim Ambrose registers an important fifty for Warwickshire, who are building a handy advantage at Edgbaston.
Theres a problem with a ball, umpires pick a replacement so lets hope this one brings some wickets!
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) May 5, 2014
Wicket. Magoffin traps Reece LBW for 16. Lancs 23-2. @ashyp_5 next in. 11 overs gone. #LancsvSus#LVCC
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) May 5, 2014
12.38pm – Gale and Bairstow are still going strong for Yorkshire, their stand now in excess of 150. Warwickshire lead Middlesex with four first-innings wickets left. Rob Key and Sam Northeast are enjoying a half-century opening partnership for Kent.
Charlie Morris is the find of the year, perhaps past ten years. This guy can bowl and has a great future. @WorcsCCCpic.twitter.com/fcjgs291o5
— Mike Andrews (@MikeJ_A) May 5, 2014
Durham trying everything for that breakthrough. Mark Stoneman, who bowls gentle off-spin, is on for his first bowl of his season. 406-3.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) May 5, 2014
12.20pm – In-form Lewis Gregory castles Andy Carter as Notts are dismissed for an impressive 440.
Magoffin sends Paul Horton on his way, held at slip, early in Lancashire’s innings.
Gareth Andrew has two wickets in as many overs, removing Murray Goodwin in the same fashion as Rees.
12.10pm – Thomas bags a fourth scalp today and fifth in the innings, bowling Jake Ball to make Notts 431 for nine.
Gareth Andrew pins Gareth Rees in front, putting Glamorgan two down early in their reply.
Lovely day here at Emirates Durham...hour until lunch so why not come down and support the lads! pic.twitter.com/Oni0reWSIR
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) May 5, 2014
View from the commentary box @kentcricket@BBCRADIOKENT@BBCLondonSportpic.twitter.com/xe6ih4wEmA
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) May 5, 2014
11.59am – Newby strikes in his first Essex over, the second of the innings, having Matthew Boyce caught behind. Worcestershire’s Charles Morris likewise cheaply accounts for Jacques Rudolph, Glamorgan’s prized wicket.
11.51am – Sussex are all out for 298 as Simon Kerrigan snares Jon Lewis lbw in his first over of the day.
Wicket: Samit Patel's excellent knock of 132 comes to an end, caught behind off Thomas. Notts 413-8 #SomvNottspic.twitter.com/lz9okS8H5b
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) May 5, 2014
11.39am – Buck has a five-for when he breaches the defence of Oliver Newby, making his Essex bow after joining on loan from Lancashire. Shreck then bowls Monty Panesar to end Essex’s innings on 281.
Yorkshire’s Gale and Jonny Bairstow raise contracting fifties, the former’s patient and Bairstow’s more fluent.
Finn has Keith Barker caught and bowled, leaving Warwickshire six down, and Alfonso Thomas makes Peter Siddle his second scalp of the morning.
Rory Burns keeping..Steven Davies out there but feeling slightly " under the weather" so Burns has the gloves
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) May 5, 2014
11.30am – Sussex’s Michael Yardy is cruelly run out for 133 when bowler Glen Chapple diverts Steve Magoffin’s drive on to the non-striker’s stumps.
Another centurion falls as Daryl Mitchell is caught behind for 109 off Dean Cosker, who returns 5-39 as Worcestershire are dismissed for 240.
Doug Bollinger cleans up Jade Dernbach as Surrey are all out for 285.
11.21am – Leicestershire’s Nathan Buck, who ousted half-centurions Mark Pettini and James Foster late yesterday, snares Kishen Velani for 26 – the seamer’s fourth wicket. In the next over Charlie Shreck bowls debutant Tanveer Sikandar to make Essex 267 for eight.
Kent’s Mitchell Claydon traps Stuart Meaker in front to leave Surrey nine down.
Wicket early into the day's play: Chris Read caught behind off Alfonso Thomas for 96. Notts 390-6 #SomvNotts
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) May 5, 2014
11.07am – Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale scores the single his side needed overnight to be the first visiting team for three years to gain a third batting point at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Middlesex’s Steven Finn has a cutting Ateeq Javid held at second slip for 28 to leave Warwickshire 124 for five, still 43 behind on first innings.
10.50am – Before the matches resume, why not catch up on yesterday’s action in our day one blog?
10.40am – Good morning and welcome to our LV= County Championship blog on this Bank Holiday Monday. Here’s how the games stand after day one:
Division One
Warwickshire, on 123 for four, trail Middlesex by 44 after dismissing the visitors, who won the toss, for a first-innings 167 at Edgbaston.
Having called correctly, Andrew Gale's Yorkshire are 299 for three versus Durham at the Emirates Durham ICG. Adam Lyth hit 104 and Kane Williamson 97.
Samit Patel and Chris Read, 116 and 95 not out respectively, helped Nottinghamshire– who were asked to bat by Somerset– reach 382 for five at Taunton.
Sussex, who won the toss, are 276 for eight against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford courtesy of Michael Yardy's unbeaten 132.
Division Two
Essex, who elected to bat, are 254 for six facing Leicestershire at the Essex County Ground.
Worcestershire, bolstered by Daryl Mitchell's 101 not out, are 232 for nine after losing the toss to Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium.
Kent restricted Surrey, who decided to make first use, to 276 for eight at the Spitfire Ground.
Forget the Premier League title race! Its all about the Durham oldies v younguns warm up! pic.twitter.com/mWoa5vClXD
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) May 5, 2014