Petersen and Buttler prosper for dominant Somerset

Somerset reached 103 without loss but then lost four wickets either side of lunch before being rescued by a fifth-wicket partnership of 193 between Petersen and Buttler which enabled them to reach 358-6 by close.

Young Sussex batsman Luke Wells hit an unbeaten 108 to help the visitors into a commanding first-innings position of 204-2 after two days of a hard-fought clash with Surrey at The Oval.

Wells batted with composure to thwart Surrey’s impressive attack for over five hours and he reached his century just before the close from 234 balls and with 11 fours and a six.

It was the 22-year-old’s sixth century of his first-class career and his third in succession against Surrey in Championship cricket.

England Lions James Taylor and Alex Hales shared the batting honours with an Australian as Nottinghamshire ground out a first innings lead of 69 on the second day of their match against Derbyshire.

The pair both scored half centuries but the most fluent innings was played by Aussie Test opener Ed Cowan who scored 59 out of Nottinghamshire’s 325-5.

Derbyshire did not help their cause by dropping two catches but kept themselves in the contest by taking the wickets of Samit Patel (48) and Riki Wessels in the final session although Notts are well placed with Taylor unbeaten on 67.

In Division Two, Jimmy Adams made the highest post-war score by a Hampshire captain as his side took complete control on day two of a meeting with Worcestershire at the Rose Bowl.

Resuming overnight on 151, Adams progressed to a double ton – eventually finishing 219 not out from 382 balls – as Hampshire declared on 500-9, their highest-ever total against Worcestershire.

The visitors were 159-5 at the close of play with both James Tomlinson and David Balcombe taking two wickets as only Moeen Ali really offered any resistance.

Half-centuries from Alex Wakely, James Middlebrook and Steven Crook put leaders Northamptonshire in control on the second day of their match against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Just 71 runs were scored in 38 overs as batting proved tough for both Kent and Lancashire on a rain-hit second day of their match at Old Trafford.

Kent were dismissed for 244, Lancashire finishing on 43-2.