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CCD1: Nick Compton helps Middlesex frustrate Yorkshire

Image: Nick Compton dug in to deny Yorkshire victory inside two days at Lord's

An unbeaten 86 from Nick Compton helped Middlesex frustrate champions Yorkshire's bid for a two-day win at Lord's.

Yorkshire, who secured back-to-back titles on the first day of the LV= County Championship Division One contest, were on course for their 10th win of the season when they reduced Middlesex to 143-5, still 48 short of making their visitors bat again.

But the hosts found some belated resolve in Compton, who passed 1,000 runs for the season, and skipper James Franklin, who reached stumps 60no with Middlesex 274-5 for a lead of 81.

Yorkshire had earlier been in total control, with Jack Brooks making his first half-century for the county in a total of 299 before they grabbed three wickets in 12 balls with the score on 87.

Image: James Middlebrook had struck twice in three balls to leave the hosts in trouble

Sam Robson was first to fall for 53 - Tim Bresnan nipping one back through his defence - before James Middlebrook struck twice in three balls, Paul Stirling (34) bowled through the gate and Dawid Malan trapped in front. 

Stevie Eskinazi joined Compton to put on 41 before Steve Patterson bowled the debutant through the gate for 22 and Neil Dexter, playing his last Middlesex innings at Lord's, passed 6,000 first-class runs only to then be caught in his follow-through by Brooks off a leading edge.

But Middlesex dominated the final session against a tiring attack, with Compton reaching 1,000 runs when he got to 49 as Franklin dug in to keep out the champions with his third fifty of the season.

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Marcus Trescothick of Somerset cuts the ball during the LV County Championship match against Hampshire
Image: Marcus Trescothick was one of three Somerset batsman to hit centuries to put the hosts in command

Centuries from Somerset's top three batsmen enabled the hosts to take a firm hold on their relegation fight against Hampshire on day two in Taunton.

Marcus Trescothick who made 153, Tom Abell 131 and Tom Cooper with 118 all enjoyed themselves in the bright sunshine and helped Somerset reach stumps 569-5 for a lead of 329 runs.

Resuming on 147 without loss to Hampshire's first innings total of 240, the overnight pair of Abell and Trescothick rode out the opening few overs under overcast skies and once the sun broke through, the runs came freely. 

Image: Tom Abell struck his maiden first-class hundred

Trescothick won the race to 100 - his 57th century coming off 180 balls with 19 fours - and two overs later Abell followed him with his maiden first-class century from 155 balls.

Abell eventually fell lbw to Gareth Berg for 133, but Trescothick was in vintage form as he passed 1,000 first-class runs in a season for the seventh time in his career before he was bowled by Fidel Edwards for 153 at 341-2. 

Cooper then raced his way to 50, smashing two huge sixes off Mason Crane, and he reached three figures in 103 balls, taking his own score to 118 when he was caught at slip by Sean Ervine trying to reverse-sweep Liam Dawson.

James Hildreth then added 68 for the fourth wicket with Jim Allenby before he was bowled by Dawson for 71 and Peter Trego then fell cheaply, prompting Allenby and Luke Ronchi to see Somerset through to the close. 

Michael Richardson narrowly missed out on his first County Championship century of the season as Durham enjoyed the better of day two of their match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

The 28-year old wicketkeeper was unbeaten on 96 as Durham's first innings closed on 372, giving them a healthy advantage of 168 over the hosts. 

Brett Hutton was the pick of the home attack, recording a career-best 5-77 to minimise the damage.

Notts' second innings reached 138-4 by stumps - still 30 runs adrift - with Graham Onions taking three of the four wickets to fall.

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