At a glance
- Derbyshire piled on the runs
- Anderson in the wickets again
- Tight games at Worcestershire and Gloucestershire
Day two is in the books, and it was another fascinating day of cricket. Derbyshire piled on the runs and heaped pressure on Northamptonshire, Jimmy Anderson was among the wickets again, while the games at New Road and Bristol remain finely poised.
Derbyshire v Northamptonshire
Derbyshire resumed on 342-3, with Caleb Jewell unbeaten on 91 and Wayne Madsen on 57. Jewell added just three to his overnight score, while Madsen managed only two more, and Northamptonshire may have sensed an opportunity to keep the total in check. Derbyshire, though, had other ideas.
Martin Andersson (106) and Brooke Guest (141) shared a superb 241-run partnership for the sixth wicket, helping the hosts declare on 604-7.
Northamptonshire used eight bowlers during the innings, although only four managed to take wickets. Harry Conway was the pick of them with 3-102, Nathan McSweeney claimed 2-48, while Ben Sanderson and Calvin Harrison took one wicket each.
With 37 overs left in the day, Northamptonshire faced an awkward period late on, and things quickly became difficult as they slumped to 38-4. Calvin Harrison (42*) and James Sales (33*) then steadied the innings and will resume on day three with the visitors on 98-4.
Rory Haydon (2-29) and Ben Aitchison (2-31) led the way with the ball for Derbyshire, who will be keen to maintain the pressure on their opponents.
You can read the full scorecard here
Lancashire v Middlesex
A big day three for both sides is in store at Old Trafford. Middlesex resumed day two on 38-2, still 163 runs behind. Wickets tumbled with Sir James Anderson taking two more to add to his two yesterday.
Only Leus du Plooy showed any resistance, as he scored 67, Ryan Higgins scored a quick fire 32 off 30 balls, but that was it, as Middlesex were all out for 169, 32 runs behind.
Sir Jimmy was the pick of the bowlers with 4-67. George Balderson also took 3-19, with Tom Bailey (2-49) and Mitchell Stanley (1-28) also getting wickets.
So with a slender lead, Lancashire set about setting Middlesex a large final innings total. Balderson (15) and Keaton Jennings (18) started off with a 39 run opening partnership, but then three quick wickets saw Lancashire end the day on 45-3, 77 runs ahead.
Ryan Higgins is the only bowler to pick up wickets so far, with 3-15, and the visitors will want more of the same if they are to win the game.
You can read the full scorecard here
Gloucestershire v Kent
Kent started day two 1-0, after facing just the two overs the night before. They were soon 39-3, with England opener Zak Crawley out for 1, Michael Cohen (18) and Sam Northeast (2) all back in the pavilion.
A 102 partnership between Ben Dawkins (65) and Tawanda Muyeye (90) took them to 141-4, and with wickets falling Muyeye, it looked like Gloucestershire might have a nice lead going into their second innings, as Kent were reduced to 245-8.
That didn’t materialise though as Chris Benjamin (74*) and Keith Dudgeon (30*) took the score to 308-8 at the close of play, only 17 runs behind.
The star with the ball was Will WIlliams, who took 4-40. Ben Charlesworth took 2-43, and Gabe Bell has 1-65. This game is nicely poised going into day three.
You can read the full scorecard here
Worcestershire v Durham
Worcestershire started day two on 209-7, but their final three wickets added 99 runs to be all out for 308. Jack Home, batting at 10, top scored with 63, as overnight batters Ethan Brookes (28), only adding seven runs, and Tom Taylor (25) added 15 to his overnight score.
Ben Raine was the pick of the bowlers with 5-63. Ben Stokes ended up with 2-54 from 20 overs, a good workout for the England captain. Luke Robinson (1-75), Kasey Aldridge (1-72) and Callum Parkinson (1-38) took the other wickets.
Durham were soon in trouble in their first innings, slipping to 35-2. The in form pair of Emilio Gay and David Bedingham helped steady things before Gay departed for 28. Ben Stokes then came to the crease, but could manage only 14.
Bedingham went on to make 83 as Durham fought back from 119-4, eventually closing on 207-7, still 101 runs behind Worcestershire.
Graham Clark is unbeaten on 48, with Ollie Robinson yet to score, and the pair will resume on day three hoping to guide Durham closer to the hosts’ total.
Graham Clark (48*) and Ollie Robinson (0*) will resume on day three looking to edge Durham closer to Worcestershire’s total.
You can read the full scorecard here
Stay up to date with all the latest County Championship news at readcricket.com and follow us on Instagram
