Ben Foakes hits unbeaten 132 as Surrey set imposing target for Warwickshire

Ben Foakes hit an unbeaten 132 as Surrey declared on an imposing 428 for eight on the second day of their LV= Insurance County Championship match against champions Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Foakes faced 263 balls and was boosted by Ollie Pope (58) and Jordan Clark (50) as Surrey set their imposing target before making early inroads in the field before close.

Dom Sibley fell for a first-ball duck and skipper Will Rhodes also went for six as the hosts wobbled onto 16 for two in reply.

Matt Critchley scored a century on his Essex debut as the hosts built on their first-wicket platform of 220 to set a target of 514 against Kent at Chelmsford.

Critchley was the last man out on 132, adding to first-day centurions Sir Alastair Cook and Nick Browne as the hosts continued to punish the ailing Kent attack.

The visitors rallied in response and despite losing Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw on 11, Ben Compton’s unbeaten 47 helped them reach 122 for one at close.

Joe Weatherley scored a brilliant 168 as Hampshire amassed a first-innings lead of 248 against Somerset at Southampton.

Weatherley brought up his century in 179 balls as the hosts made short work of Somerset’s first innings total of 180, with both Ian Holland and James Vince striking supportive half-centuries.

Ben Green and Tom Lammonby survived six overs before close as Somerset ended the day 15 without loss.

Rob Keogh and Gareth Berg summoned a century stand for the eighth wicket to spare Northamptonshire a sizeable first-innings deficit against Gloucestershire at Wantage Road.

James Bracey followed his hundred in the visitors’ total of 223 with five dismissals as Northamptonshire were reduced to 129 for seven in reply.

But Keogh and Berg came together to steer their side to 288