County Championship Division Two: Gloucestershire on top against Northamptonshire

Gloucestershire took control of their match with Northamptonshire on day two in Bristol, finishing on 240-4 as Chris Dent fell seven short of his century.

Steven Crook (60) had time to reach his half-century before Northants were bowled out for 176 before lunch with Craig Miles taking 5-65 and Josh Shaw 4-52 for Gloucestershire.

Gareth Roderick (40) and Chris Dent then got Gloucestershire's innings off to a good start with an opening stand of 76.

Ben Sanderson removed Roderick lbw and Richard Gleeson got rid of Graeme van Buuren but Michael Klinger joined Dent in the middle put on 137 for the third wicket. Seekkuge Prasanna accounted for Dent, denying the opener a ton, but Klinger (62 not out) saw it through to the close with the hosts 64 runs ahead.

Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara both made scores of 80 as Essex edged ahead of Glamorgan on day two in Cardiff, closing on 300-9, a lead of 40.

Essex began the day on 29-1 and went past 50 in the morning session before losing Jaik Mickleburgh (33).

Westley, 14 not out overnight, was then joined by Bopara. The pair went well and put on 93 for the third wicket before Westley fell for 80. Dan Lawrence was then trapped lbw by David Lloyd.

Bopara kept going though and moved past 50 as the Essex total ticked past 200 before the former England man was caught off the bowling of Michael Hogan. Timm van der Gugten (4-77) was able to pick up three quick wickets late on but Ryan ten Doeschate will resume on 43 not out for Essex.

Kent reached stumps on 79-1 after Derbyshire were bowled out for 492 on the second morning at the County Ground as Shiv Thakor reached his third first class century.

The all-rounder, who began the day 86 not out, was eventually stumped off the bowling of James Tredwell after Tom Taylor was dismissed by Adam Ball for 80.

Tony Palladino was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Matt Coles who finished with figures of 5-116.

Ben Cotton had Daniel Bell-Drummond caught behind early in the Kent innings but a patient stand of 70 between Sean Dickson and Joe Denly took the visitors through to the close.

Leicestershire will be looking to take the final two Worcestershire wickets and establish a first innings lead on day three at Grace Road after the visitors closed on 249-8, trailing by 67 runs.

Leicestershire were bowled out for 316 after losing six wickets for just 63 runs at the start of day two with Mark Pettini dismissed a run shy of his 50. Joe Leach was the hosts' chief tormentor, ending with figures of 5-99.

Worcestershire's innings then began with an opening partnership of 51 between Daryl Mitchell and Brett D'Oliveira before both men were dismissed by Neil Dexter as a flurry of wickets left the away team struggling at 126-5.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (44) and Ben Cox (49) steadied the ship and took the visitors past 200 but they were dismissed in successive balls as Worcestershire slipped to 215-8 shortly afterwards. However, Matt Henry and Jack Shantry were able to see them through to the close.