Yorkshire batsman Jonny Bairstow scores unbeaten century against Middlesex

Jonny Bairstow gave the England selectors a timely reminder ahead of this summer’s Ashes with an unbeaten century for Yorkshire against Middlesex at Headingley.

The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 10 fours and four sixes as he scored 125 not out as the home side made 229 in reply to their opponents’ opening knock of 212 in the County Championship match with leaders Middlesex.

Yorkshire resumed day two on 96-4 but lost two wickets in the first over, as Jack Leaning was out lbw to the first ball of the morning from Toby Roland-Jones (4-78).

The pace bowler then had Glenn Maxwell caught behind by wicketkeeper John Simpson with his third ball of the day.

Bairstow moved on from his overnight score of 25 but continued to run out of partners, Jack Brooks the last to perish as he was bowled for six by spinner Ollie Raynor.

Middlesex reached 127-4 at stumps in their second innings, with Dawid Malan unbeaten on 33 despite having to call for a runner, to leave them with a lead of 110.

At Chester-Le-Street, Durham recovered from 101-6 to score 314 in their second innings at the close of day two with their game against Somerset.

The visitors began the day on 147-4 but steadily lost wickets throughout the morning, with Johann Myburgh adding just four more runs to his overnight score of 57.

Chris Rushworth finished with figures of 4-54, while Paul Coughlin and John Hastings chipped in with two wickets apiece as Somerset reached 225.

Durham struggled to get going in their second knock before skipper Paul Collingwood and Coughlin came together with six wickets down.

The pair put on 73 before Collingwood (58) was caught behind off the bowling of Chris Overton (3-41) but the hosts were boosted by further late runs, as Coughlin moved on to 54 before falling to Peter Trego.

Hastings (79 off 68 balls) and Rushworth (43 from 40) ensured the home side would end day two in the box-seat as they put on 72 for the ninth wicket to help Durham advance to 314 all out to leave Somerset chasing 278 for victory.

In the other match in Division One, Gareth Berg came within a run of becoming Hampshire's second centurion against Sussex at Hove but was agonisingly run out on 99 for the final wicket.

Hants began day two on 116-4 but gradually added to their total, with Adam Wheater making 111 from 99 balls as he and Berg put on 165 for the eighth wicket.

That helped Hampshire reach 392 after James Vince (76) had earlier anchored the innings.

Former West Indies pace bowler Fidel Edwards (4-21) then ripped through Sussex’s top-order in their second innings as they were pegged back to 23-3.

Edwards also had Nash trapped leg before but not before he added a useful 50 to the score as Sussex reached 142-5 at the close to leave them one run in the lead going into the third day.