Rudolph replies for Yorkshire

Jacques Rudolph hit back for Yorkshire with a fighting unbeaten 99 at the Brit Oval

Jacques Rudolph ended the day on 99 as Yorkshire responded confidently to Mark Butcher-inspired Surrey’s big first-innings total at the Brit Oval.

Home captain Butcher completed an impressive double century after starting the second day on 189 not out in the LV County Championship Division One clash, eventually falling for 205 from 289 balls.

Australian Matt Nicholson also progressed from his overnight 103 to reach 133 before Butcher declared before lunch on 466 for eight.

Despite Anthony McGrath’s 54, two wickets from Pedro Collins (2-79) helped reduce the visitors to 123 for three at one stage.

But an unbeaten 169-run stand between Rudolph and Andrew Gale (70) led Yorkshire to 292 for three at stumps.

Nottinghamshire need 172 runs with five wickets remaining to claim an unlikely home victory over champions Sussex on the final day on Friday.

Matt Prior’s 64 was the highlight of Sussex’s second innings as they were all out for 259 - a lead of 285.

But in response Notts limped to 114 for five, having at one point been teetering on 25 for three.

Marcus Trescothick hit 71 not out for Somerset

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Kent were reliant on Martin van Jaarsveld (95) as they established a 65-run first-innings lead with a total of 273.

But Trescothick’s watchful knock helped guide the visitors to 157 for two by the end of day two.

In Division Two, Leicestershire batted themselves into a strong position against Essex at Chelmsford.

Having managed only 159 themselves in the first innings, the visitors limited Essex to a lead of only five this morning, Nadeem Malik taking six for 46.

Fine knocks from HD Ackerman (90no) and Boeta Dippenaar (64) then put Leicestershire firmly in control at 233 for three.

Warwickshire were set to establish a first-innings lead over Middlesex at Edgbaston before bad light stopped play with the home side 272 for four in response to 297.

Jonathan Trott (50) scored at almost a run a ball before an unbroken 105-run stand between Tony Frost (54no) and Ant Botha (41no) swung the match firmly Warwickshire’s way.

Only 26 overs were possible at Swansea as Northamptonshire declared on 531 for eight after a rain-delayed start.

Bad light then prevented Glamorgan from launching their response.