Specsavers County Championship Division Two: Alastair Cook hits third hundred
Cook hit an unbeaten 130 for Essex on rain-affected second day
Monday 2 May 2016 19:29, UK
Cook hit an unbeaten 130, sharing in a 202-run partnership for the second wicket with Tom Westley (125) - who hit his second Championship hundred for the season - and then a 97-run stand with Ravi Bopara (48no).
Worcestershire were made to toil in the field for a second day running, with New Zealander Matt Henry (2-70) taking the only wicket - Westley out lbw - on day two.
But further rain interruptions, following those that also blighted the first day's play, mean Essex still have some way to go before earning a third win in four to start the season.
Leicestershire are well on top of their contest with Sussex, looking set for a second win in their opening three fixtures.
Having dismissed Sussex for just 163 on the opening day down in Hove, the visitors racked up a first-innings lead of 137 by stumps on day two, still with six wickets remaining.
Paul Horton (100) - unbeaten on 71 overnight - went through to a hundred, while skipper Mark Cosgrove struck 80 as Leicestershire reached 300-4 before bad light ended play early.
Kent are also in complete control of their game with Glamorgan in Canterbury, building a 228 first-innings lead, before reducing the visitors to 16-1 in their second dig by stumps.
As many as five Kent batsmen managed fifties on day two - Daniel Bell-Drummond the standout with 84 as Kent scored 488.
His opening partner, New Zealander Tom Latham, hit 53 but their unbroken 124-run partnership overnight was ended in the third over.
Joe Denly (58), Darren Stevens (58) and Mitchell Claydon (55) were the others to hit half centuries, before Stevens then struck with the ball late in the day to further emphasise Kent's dominance.
Shiv Thakor was left stranded short of a century, unbeaten on 83, as Derbyshire were bowled out for 324 against Northamptonshire.
He helped add 49 runs for Derbyshire's final two wickets on day two, before Northamptonshire cruised to 66-0 in reply - Ben Duckett unbeaten on 36, and Jake Libby 28.
That was all the play possible though, rain arriving eight balls into the afternoon session.
