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Warwickshire are 195 for 5 at The Oval after Meaker struck quickly after lunch, trapping Maddy lbw for 15. Meaker and Ambrose are having a great battle, writes Brian Halford. The batsman has dug out a couple of rapid yorkers and also edged just short of slip. Batty has been wheeling away all day at the Pavilion End.
There is no pressure in the job of cricket reporter, of course. Nurses, surgeons, miners – they know pressure. But I’ve experienced the nearest we get to it this afternoon – being trapped behind 47 million milling children on the way round to the other side of the ground when you know the gannets of the press-box are descending on your lunch.
Lunch at Taunton with Durham 59-1 from 19 overs and 43 ahead, writes Richard Latham. Michael Di Venuto has fallen to Jamie Overton for 26 and it’s a closer contest between bat and ball with the cloud cover helping the home attack.
First innings centurion Will Smith is unbeaten on 20, but no batsman has looked entirely comfortable. With the pitch still playing well, Durham will need a big score before setting Somerset any kind of last day target.
Just spoken to a very relaxed Steve Harmison, who says he is enjoying every minute of his return to Championship action, even though he could have chosen a more hospitable ground for bowlers.
Brian Halford again from The Oval. Warwickshire go into lunch on the second day on 182 for 4, 41 behind, after a fascinating morning’s cricket. Surrey have bowled much better today. At 144 for 4, the game was finely balanced, but a gritty unbroken stand of 38 between Ambrose and Maddy has tilted it just the visitors’ way again.
There’s been quite a bit of edge to this game. Warwickshire were annoyed when Lewis did not walk yesterday when they thought he was caught at cover. On 6 at the time, he went on to second top-score with 37.
Again this morning, there have been a few words exchanged. Nothing ugly, but there’s definitely some passion out there. Good cricket.
Surrey fighting back hard as they take three for 13 in eight overs to reduce Warwickshire to 144 for 4, reports Brian Halford.
Troughton’s lean streak goes on when he plays on to Meaker for three and then Chopra, not so fluent this morning, is beaten in the flight by Batty and bowled for 78.
Two new batsmen (Maddy and Ambrose) in. Still 79 behind. Game on.
Morning, writes Brian Halford at The Oval. Warwickshire are 137 for 2 and being made to work hard for runs by accurate bowling from Dernbach and Batty. The latter struck the first blow of the morning when Porterfield drove and, not quite to the pitch of the ball, edged to Maynard at slip.
There’s more shrill backdrop of chatter from hundreds of youngsters today, the more perceptive of whom no doubt just observed that, although Chopra has 72, it appeared unnecessarily risky of him, in the match circumstances, to attempt the reverse-sweep which he has just been fortunate to get away with against Batty.
Somerset have declared on 400-9, with maximum batting points and a first innings lead of 16, writes Richard Latham. James Hidlreth’s decision was probably based on current weather conditions, which may see the ball swing as it is sultry and overcast.
Second day honours so far with the home side, with Trego advancing from 67 to 89 before losing his middle stump to Harrison, whose Championship bow has brought figures of 4-112. George Dockrell and Jamie Overton gathered the final 11 runs from 389-9 and Somerset will take the field in high spirits.
Good morning, says a cheery Richard Latham, from what surprisingly is an overcast Taunton where Somerset have just resumed on 357-8, still 27 behind Durham’s first innings total of 384. The visitors have taken the second new ball straight away and Somerset’s hopes of a lead and maximum batting points rest largely with Peter Trego, 67 not out. Jamie Harrison, who impressed on his Championship debut yesterday, has opened the attack for Durham in the best bowling conditions of the match so far. Trego has just scored the first runs of the day, two to fine leg, followed by a confident drive through mid-on for three. Somerset 362-8 after 85 overs.
Morning all
Welcome to the county cricket live blog for second day’s play of the latest round of Championship action. Our writers will be here with updates shortly. Richard Latham is at Taunton for Somerset v Durham and Brian Halford is at The Oval for Surrey v Warwickshire.
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