The Cricketer wraps up the best of the action during day two of round 11 of the Vitality County Championship in 2024
Northwood (day two of four): Northamptonshire 208, Middlesex 250-7 - Middlesex lead by 42 runs with three wickets remaining
Half centuries from Sam Robson and Leus du Plooy gave Middlesex the upper hand on the second day of their Vitality County Championship game against Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors' School.
Robson enhanced his impressive record at the Northwood venue, which includes four first-class centuries, by grinding out a vital 58 while Du Plooy hit an unbeaten 66 as the home side reached 250 for 7, a first-innings advantage of 43.
However, Ben Sanderson kept Northamptonshire right in contention with figures of 5 for 58, regaining his status as Division Two's leading wicket-taker after being briefly displaced by Middlesex captain Toby Roland-Jones.
Scarborough (day two of four): Sussex 189 & 26-0, Yorkshire 326 - Sussex trail by 111 runs with 10 wickets remaining
England's Jonny Bairstow contributed a combative 57 – his first first-class fifty since last July – as Yorkshire took charge of their Vitality County Championship clash with promotion rivals Sussex after two days at Scarborough.
Bairstow came in immediately after lunch with Yorkshire 104 for 3 in reply to Sussex's 189 all out, the visitors' first innings wrapped up in the day's second over.
The 34-year-old shared 90 with fourth-wicket partner Will Luxton, the fledgling batter whose 59 represented his career-best score in only his fourth appearance.
Sussex off-spinner Jack Carson claimed an excellent season's-best 5 for 83 in 20 overs as Yorkshire were bowled out for 326, a lead of 137, and the Hove county closed their second innings on 26 without loss from 10 overs.
Leus du Plooy madea half century for Middlesex (Warren Little/Getty Images)
Derby (day two of four): Glamorgan 168 & 39-0, Derbyshire 429 - Glamorgan trail by 222 runs with 10 wickets remaining
Anuj Dal led a strong Derbyshire batting display to put the home side in a commanding position on day two of the Vitality County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan at Derby.
Dal made 94 from 135 balls after Harry Came with 84 and Wayne Madsen's 70 put Derbyshire on course for a big first innings total.
Glamorgan spinner Ben Kellaway took his first wickets in first-class cricket, finishing with 3 for 59, while Mason Crane claimed 3 for 43 as Derbyshire were bowled out for 429, a lead of 261.
Glamorgan were left with a tricky 12 overs to negotiate but they survived to close on 39 without loss, still 222 behind.
Bristol (day two of four): Leicestershire 402, Gloucestershire 227-3 - Gloucestershire trail by 175 runs with seven wickets remaining
Ben Charlesworth led the way with 105 not out as Gloucestershire produced a determined fightback on the second day of the Vitality County Championship Division Two game with Leicestershire at Bristol.
The 23-year-old left hander notched his second first class century off 164 balls, with 14 fours and three sixes, in a Gloucestershire first innings total that had reached 227 for 3 by the time bad light ended play seven overs early. James Bracey was unbeaten on 34.
Leicestershire had posted 402 all out in their first innings from an overnight 291 for 7. Liam Trevaskis contributed 50 and Tom Scriven 60 off 84 balls, while Zaman Akhter finished with 3 for 110.
Join The Cricketer's brand new Whatsapp channel for the latest breaking news, comment and features - click here to become a member
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.