Surrey's Sam Curran hit his maiden professional century.Image caption: Surrey's Sam Curran hit his maiden professional century.
It's been another day for the batters across the County Championship - with the glaring exception coming, of course, at Chelmsford, where 14 wickets fell to almost match the 16 on day one.
All 14 went to spinners - Simon Harmer completed a mesmerising 8-46 for Essex but then Hampshire fought back with 7-68 from Liam Dawson to leave the exciting Division One clash still in the balance.
Sam Curran's maiden century (126) and Will Jacks (103) helped Surrey to continue to pile on the runs as trhe Division One leaders declared on 673-7 against Kent, who have since fought back on 147-2.
Wickets were also few and far between as Northants and Warwickshire battled out a rain-affected second day while Keaton Jennings' 94 has given Lancashire hope of a first-innings lead against Gloucestershire.
In Division Two, Lyndon James' career-best 155 put leaders Nottinghamshire well in charge against Middlesex, as did centuries for Derbyshire duo Wayne Madsen and Anuj Dal against Sussex.
The second-tier bowling highlight was former Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach's career-best 6-44 to put Worcestershire in the box seat against Glamorgan.
But there's still all to play for in every game - so join us again tomorrow to see what day three has in store.
New Road: Worcestershire 271 & 147-6 v Glamorgan 139
Close of play at Nevil Road
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 226-4
Good shoring-up job late in the day from Steven Croft and Phil Salt in Bristol.
Croft closes on 49, with Salt on 33 - and their timely 49-run stand, on the back of Keaton Jennings' earlier 94, has whittled down the hosts' lead now to just 111.
Close of play at New Road
Worcestershire 271 & 147-6, Glamorgan 139
That's day two over in Worcestershire.
The Pears close with a 279-run lead over Glamorgan.
Charlie Morris is on 9, while Gareth Roderick has 3.
Close of play at Trent Bridge
Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 106-4
Not a great couple of days for Middlesex in this meeting of the top two in Division Two - even a truncated one like this which lost the whole of the morning sessiion to rain.
They reach the halfway stage trailing by 445 - and needing a further 296 just to avoid the threat of following on.
WICKET - Barnard b Neser 1
Worcestershire 271 & 134-6, Glamorgan 139
No repeat of his first-innings century for Ed Barnard. He is bowled by Michael Neser.
Charlie Morris comes in to join Gareth Roderick as the hosts look to take their lead beyond the 300-mark.
WICKET - Stoneman b Patterson-White 67
Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 106-4
Big wicket late in the day at Trent Bridge as Mark Stoneman has a charge at spinner Liam Patterson-White and is bowled.
It ends a stand of 69 with Max Holden - and nightwatchman Tom Helm comes in to face an awkward five minutes.
Probably two more overs after this one.
Close of play at Wantage Road
Northamptonshire 451, Warwickshire 71-1
Heavy going for Warwickshire in their reply to Northamptonshire's all-out total of 451.
Where runs came freely for Northants yesterday, it has been a struggle since play resumed at 10 past three following the loss of the first session and a half to rain.
The last four Northants wickets went down - all to Oliver Hannon-Dalby - in the space of seven overs. And the Bears have so far taken 39 overs to reach 71-1.
Dom Sibley has managed one boundary in his 30 off 114 balls, while Chris Benjamin has 8.
Neser strikes again at New Road
Worcestershire 271 & 133-5, Glamorgan 139
Michale Neser removes home captain Brett D'Oliveira and that reunites first-innings heroes Ed Barnard and Gareth Roderick.
Close of play at Chelmsford
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 35-0
A big effort from the Hampshire openers to survive the embers of the evening session without loss.
They would probably have taken 5-0 if offered after Simon Harmer's first-innings blitz.
But instead Felix Organ (23no) and, to a lesser extent, Ian Holland (12no) took the attack to Harmer and Essex.
They need 264 more to win - and this pair have given them a chance.
Two more Glamorgan scalps
Worcestershire 271 & 128-4, Glamorgan 139
Two further wickets for the Glamorgan attack at New Road.
Jake Libby is trapped leg before by James Harris on 49 then, four overs later, Tom Fell is caught behind off Michael Neser for 17.
Fell was only batting as a concussion substitute, having been brought in from Second XI duty to replace Taylor Cornall.
The Pears lead is already up to 260, after bowling out the visitors this morning for 139.
Close of play at The Oval
Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 147-2
Another day for the batters at The Oval.
Sam Curran (126) and Will Jacks (103) took Surrey's tally of centurions to four before the Division One leaders declared on a whopping 673-7.
But any hopes they had of cruising to another easy win have been quashed slightly by Kent, with Daniel Bell-Drummond (62no) and Jack Leaning (31no) frustrating the Surrey attack to end the day on 147-2.
Hampshire no shrinking violets
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 35-0
We thought the final few overs of the day would be all about survival for Hampshire.
Wrong.
Felix Organ has hit his third six in 10 overs. Simon Harmer, who took 8-46 in Hampshire's first innings, has already gone for 0-30 in this one. Astonishing turn of events. No fear from the visitors. Respect.
Close of play at Hove
Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 142-3
It's stumps soon after Rizwan completes that half-century.
Derbyshire remain in command of this Division Two affair after their big first-innings tally - in which Wayne Madsen (176) and Anuj Dal (146) shone - but Sussex are showing some gumption.
50 for Kent's Bell-Drummond
Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 134-2
This is an excellent innings from Daniel Bell-Drummond, he's 52no off 113 balls, and it's been virtually chanceless from what we've seen (although bear in mind we are following seven games here).
His partnership with Jack Leaning is up to 80 and while Surrey won't be too concerned, the Division One leaders know they need to break this stand, preferably before the close.
50 for Sussex's Rizwan
Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 142-3
Half-century for Mohammad Rizwan as Sussex continue to battle at Hove.
WICKET - Davies lbw b White 31
Northants 451, Warwickshire 53-1
Warwickshire's bid to up the scoring rate is derailed as Alex Davies is trapped LBW by Jack White - 31 off 93 balls.
Needless to say, Dom Sibley's strike rate is even slower. Just 22 off 87 balls.
Chris Benjamin's arrival is almost sure to speed things up a bit.
Having said that, there are only eight overs left in the day - and this is only Benjamin's second red-ball game of the season.
for Hampshire's Organ
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 7-0
After a couple of maiden overs, Hampshire opener Felix Organ gets restless.
Slogs Simon Harmer's first ball for six. Hmm. Not sure it's a smart move to irk the monster.
He then does the same off the first ball of Harmer's next over!
WICKET - Vilas lbw b Price 1
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 177-4
Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas is adjudged leg before wicket - and Gloucestershire have a fourth scalp.
Phil Salt has come in to join Steven Croft, who looks set on 34.
64 overs bowled now, leaving still 13 left in the day.
Davies and Sibley up scoring rate
Northants 451, Warwickshire 52-0
After just 26 fromn their first 23 overs, Alex Davies and Dom Sibley have taken just another four to double their score.
The introduction of Davies's old Lancashire team-mate Luke Procter has clearly helped. He has gone for 15 off his first two overs.
Live Reporting
Ged Scott and Michael Beardmore
All times stated are UK
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Surrey's Sam Curran hit his maiden professional century.Image caption: Surrey's Sam Curran hit his maiden professional century. 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Notts' Lyndon James.Image caption: Notts' Lyndon James.
Latest PostAnother day for the batters - mostly
It's been another day for the batters across the County Championship - with the glaring exception coming, of course, at Chelmsford, where 14 wickets fell to almost match the 16 on day one.
All 14 went to spinners - Simon Harmer completed a mesmerising 8-46 for Essex but then Hampshire fought back with 7-68 from Liam Dawson to leave the exciting Division One clash still in the balance.
Sam Curran's maiden century (126) and Will Jacks (103) helped Surrey to continue to pile on the runs as trhe Division One leaders declared on 673-7 against Kent, who have since fought back on 147-2.
Wickets were also few and far between as Northants and Warwickshire battled out a rain-affected second day while Keaton Jennings' 94 has given Lancashire hope of a first-innings lead against Gloucestershire.
In Division Two, Lyndon James' career-best 155 put leaders Nottinghamshire well in charge against Middlesex, as did centuries for Derbyshire duo Wayne Madsen and Anuj Dal against Sussex.
The second-tier bowling highlight was former Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach's career-best 6-44 to put Worcestershire in the box seat against Glamorgan.
But there's still all to play for in every game - so join us again tomorrow to see what day three has in store.
Thank you and Goodnight.
Close of play scoreboard
Division One
Chelmsford: Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 35-0
Bristol: Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 226-4
Wantage Road: Northamptonshire 451, Warwickshire 71-1
The Oval: Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 147-2
Division Two
Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire 551-8 dec, Middlesex 106-4
Hove: Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 142-3
New Road: Worcestershire 271 & 147-6 v Glamorgan 139
Close of play at Nevil Road
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 226-4
Good shoring-up job late in the day from Steven Croft and Phil Salt in Bristol.
Croft closes on 49, with Salt on 33 - and their timely 49-run stand, on the back of Keaton Jennings' earlier 94, has whittled down the hosts' lead now to just 111.
Close of play at New Road
Worcestershire 271 & 147-6, Glamorgan 139
That's day two over in Worcestershire.
The Pears close with a 279-run lead over Glamorgan.
Charlie Morris is on 9, while Gareth Roderick has 3.
Close of play at Trent Bridge
Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 106-4
Not a great couple of days for Middlesex in this meeting of the top two in Division Two - even a truncated one like this which lost the whole of the morning sessiion to rain.
They reach the halfway stage trailing by 445 - and needing a further 296 just to avoid the threat of following on.
WICKET - Barnard b Neser 1
Worcestershire 271 & 134-6, Glamorgan 139
No repeat of his first-innings century for Ed Barnard. He is bowled by Michael Neser.
Charlie Morris comes in to join Gareth Roderick as the hosts look to take their lead beyond the 300-mark.
WICKET - Stoneman b Patterson-White 67
Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 106-4
Big wicket late in the day at Trent Bridge as Mark Stoneman has a charge at spinner Liam Patterson-White and is bowled.
It ends a stand of 69 with Max Holden - and nightwatchman Tom Helm comes in to face an awkward five minutes.
Probably two more overs after this one.
Close of play at Wantage Road
Northamptonshire 451, Warwickshire 71-1
Heavy going for Warwickshire in their reply to Northamptonshire's all-out total of 451.
Where runs came freely for Northants yesterday, it has been a struggle since play resumed at 10 past three following the loss of the first session and a half to rain.
The last four Northants wickets went down - all to Oliver Hannon-Dalby - in the space of seven overs. And the Bears have so far taken 39 overs to reach 71-1.
Dom Sibley has managed one boundary in his 30 off 114 balls, while Chris Benjamin has 8.
Neser strikes again at New Road
Worcestershire 271 & 133-5, Glamorgan 139
Michale Neser removes home captain Brett D'Oliveira and that reunites first-innings heroes Ed Barnard and Gareth Roderick.
Close of play at Chelmsford
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 35-0
A big effort from the Hampshire openers to survive the embers of the evening session without loss.
They would probably have taken 5-0 if offered after Simon Harmer's first-innings blitz.
But instead Felix Organ (23no) and, to a lesser extent, Ian Holland (12no) took the attack to Harmer and Essex.
They need 264 more to win - and this pair have given them a chance.
Two more Glamorgan scalps
Worcestershire 271 & 128-4, Glamorgan 139
Two further wickets for the Glamorgan attack at New Road.
Jake Libby is trapped leg before by James Harris on 49 then, four overs later, Tom Fell is caught behind off Michael Neser for 17.
Fell was only batting as a concussion substitute, having been brought in from Second XI duty to replace Taylor Cornall.
The Pears lead is already up to 260, after bowling out the visitors this morning for 139.
Close of play at The Oval
Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 147-2
Another day for the batters at The Oval.
Sam Curran (126) and Will Jacks (103) took Surrey's tally of centurions to four before the Division One leaders declared on a whopping 673-7.
But any hopes they had of cruising to another easy win have been quashed slightly by Kent, with Daniel Bell-Drummond (62no) and Jack Leaning (31no) frustrating the Surrey attack to end the day on 147-2.
Hampshire no shrinking violets
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 35-0
We thought the final few overs of the day would be all about survival for Hampshire.
Wrong.
Felix Organ has hit his third six in 10 overs. Simon Harmer, who took 8-46 in Hampshire's first innings, has already gone for 0-30 in this one. Astonishing turn of events. No fear from the visitors. Respect.
Close of play at Hove
Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 142-3
It's stumps soon after Rizwan completes that half-century.
Derbyshire remain in command of this Division Two affair after their big first-innings tally - in which Wayne Madsen (176) and Anuj Dal (146) shone - but Sussex are showing some gumption.
50 for Kent's Bell-Drummond
Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 134-2
This is an excellent innings from Daniel Bell-Drummond, he's 52no off 113 balls, and it's been virtually chanceless from what we've seen (although bear in mind we are following seven games here).
His partnership with Jack Leaning is up to 80 and while Surrey won't be too concerned, the Division One leaders know they need to break this stand, preferably before the close.
50 for Sussex's Rizwan
Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 142-3
Half-century for Mohammad Rizwan as Sussex continue to battle at Hove.
WICKET - Davies lbw b White 31
Northants 451, Warwickshire 53-1
Warwickshire's bid to up the scoring rate is derailed as Alex Davies is trapped LBW by Jack White - 31 off 93 balls.
Needless to say, Dom Sibley's strike rate is even slower. Just 22 off 87 balls.
Chris Benjamin's arrival is almost sure to speed things up a bit.
Having said that, there are only eight overs left in the day - and this is only Benjamin's second red-ball game of the season.
for Hampshire's Organ
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 7-0
After a couple of maiden overs, Hampshire opener Felix Organ gets restless.
Slogs Simon Harmer's first ball for six. Hmm. Not sure it's a smart move to irk the monster.
He then does the same off the first ball of Harmer's next over!
WICKET - Vilas lbw b Price 1
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 177-4
Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas is adjudged leg before wicket - and Gloucestershire have a fourth scalp.
Phil Salt has come in to join Steven Croft, who looks set on 34.
64 overs bowled now, leaving still 13 left in the day.
Davies and Sibley up scoring rate
Northants 451, Warwickshire 52-0
After just 26 fromn their first 23 overs, Alex Davies and Dom Sibley have taken just another four to double their score.
The introduction of Davies's old Lancashire team-mate Luke Procter has clearly helped. He has gone for 15 off his first two overs.