Rory Burns notched up another half-century to guide Surrey to 191/4 by stumps on Day 2. In another match, Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas bowled out Middlesex for 172. Let us have a look at all the action that took place on Friday, 14 May, from Group 2 of the County Championship 2021.
Middlesex vs Hampshire, Lord’s
Middlesex 172 (Gubbins 51; Abbott 6-44) lead Hampshire 131/7 (Vince 62; Bamber 3-41) by 41 runs
Abbott carried on the momentum from the first day, adding three more wickets on Day 2 to skittle Middlesex for 172. Gubbins stood tall for a gutsy half-century, but the rest of the batters could not make substantial contributions.
Abbot's finished with 6-44, while Mohammad Abbas had 3-46. Abbas has now 21 wickets to his name at an astounding average of 18.09.
In reply, Hampshire lost three wickets for nine runs. Ethan Bamber sent both openers inside six overs before Tim Murtagh pinned Tom Alsop in the seventh over. James Vince’s 62 helped Hampshire reach 131/7 before bad light stopped the proceedings.
Somerset vs Surrey, Taunton
Surrey 191/4 (Burns 55; Gregory 2-60) vs Somerset
Only 59 overs of play was possible on Day 2 after the first day got washed out due to rain. Skipper Rory Burns forged important partnerships with Mark Stoneman and Hashim Amla en route to his half-century to guide Surrey to 191/4.
Burns eventually got out to Marchant de Lange on 55. It was his fifth fifty in seven innings, and he has perhaps done more than enough to seal his spot for the national team, in case there was doubt.
Ollie Pope got a decent start but failed to convert into big innings. Ben Foakes (13) and Jamie Smith (18) are at the crease. For Somerset, Lewis Gregory claimed two wickets and Tom Abel one.