All six teams from Group 2 were in action on Day 2 of the fifth round of the County Championship. Let us have a look at how it went for them.
Middlesex v Gloucestershire, Lord’s
Middlesex 210 (White 76*; Payne 5-31) and 26/3 (Robson 8; Taylor 1-1) trail Gloucestershire 273 (Bracey 75; Andersson 3-55) by 37 runs
Gloucestershire resumed Day 2 at 19/1 and reached 83/2 before lunch. However, Kraigg Brathwaite’s (33) departure early in the second session triggered a collapse, and they were soon reduced to 100/4.
James Bracey (75) then forged a magnificent 91-run stand with Ian Cockbain (51) for the fifth wicket. Ryan Higgins fell a run short of a quickfire half-century. They ended at 273 with a 63-run lead.
Martin Andersson returned 3-55, while Tim Murtagh, Ethan Bamber and James Harris claimed two wickets each.
Middlesex collapsed to 26/3 before Day 2 stumps. None of their batters is yet to reach double digits.
Leicestershire v Surrey, Grace Road
Leicestershire 496 (Evans 112,Harris 101, Swindells 103; Virdi 6-176) lead Surrey 146/0 (Burns 74, Stoneman 59) by 350 runs
Harry Swindells notched up his maiden first-class century to help Leicestershire pile 496. Ben Mike (74) too played his part. For Surrey, Amar Virdi picked up 6-171 in his 44.2 overs.
In reply, Mark Stoneman and skipper Rory Burns have provided Surrey a decent start. They brought up their respective fifties and remained unbeaten at stumps. They finished the day at 146/0.
Hampshire v Somerset, Southampton
Hampshire 79 (Weatherley 20; Gregory 4-26) and 92/3 (Alsop 32; Overton 3-24) trail Somerset 336 (Overton 74; Barker 4-67) by 165 runs.
Keith Barker claimed four for 67 to restrict Somerset at 336. Six Somerset players crossed 25 mark, but only two – skipper Tom Abell (64) and Craig Overton (74) – made it past fifty.
In the second innings, Overton once again rose into the occasion and returned 3-24. Hampshire tumbled to 92/3 before Day 2 at stumps, still 165 runs behind.