County cricket: Durham v Essex, Surrey v Hampshire, and more on day two – live

County Championship updates, play due to start at 11am BSTSign up for The Spin | And you can email Tanya or post BTL

Three Essex players fielded in snoods at Chester-le-Street, with Jordan Cox adding a hand warmer for good measure, as the temperature tiptoed to 7C and the coffee van did a roaring trade. But three batters flourished in the chill: Colin Ackermann, who played a sedate anchor role for 112, his first century for Durham, and David Bedingham and Ollie Robinson who sparkled. Bedingham, fresh from his 138 off 99 balls against Worcestershire, was soon into his stride, pinging Harmer into the health club for six. Robinson made his fifth Championship half century in consecutive innings before being caught for 90. Essex plugged away, dismissing Durham shortly after Ben Raine ensured a third batting point with a six.

Fifteen wickets tumbled on a basil-green wicket at the Oval. First Hampshire were routed for 156, with three wickets for Dan Worrall, Gus Atkinson and Jordan Clark. Then Surrey too slipped about, Hampshire winkling out four of their brightest – Dominic Sibley, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence – for just 44. Ryan Patel steadied things but was bowled before stumps.

Continue reading…