Langer leads way for Somerset

Justin Langer © Getty Images

Justin Langer broke the innings record for a Somerset batsman as the visitors gave leaders Surrey a formidable challenge in their Liverpool Victoria County Championship match at Guildford.

Division Two leaders Surrey had no answer to the Australian, whose 342 took him past the previous best of 322 set by Viv Richards against Warwickshire at Taunton in 1985. He was eventually prized out by Ian Salisbury.

The Australia opener’s mammoth tally came off 416 balls and included 43 fours and two sixes before Somerset declared on 688 for eight, 27 short of their best innings total.

Surrey made an uncertain start to their reply, losing Scott Newman (32) and Jonathan Batty (17) as they stumbled to 64 for two, before recovering to 173 for two with Mark Ramprakash (66 not out) and Mark Butcher (41 not out) at the crease at the close of the second day.

Elsewhere in the division, second-placed Essex will hope they can take advantage of any Surrey slips but they were struggling against Glamorgan at Chelmsford.

But, replying to the Welsh side’s 474 which included 202 from Mike Powell, they were 135 for four at the close on day two.

Will Jefferson (five) and Andy Flower (three) lost their wickets cheaply but Mark Pettini (29) and Ravinder Bopara (37) would also have hoped to offer more resistance as Essex were reduced to 76 for four before Ronnie Irani (19 not out) and Grant Flower (42 not out) took over.

Worcestershire had no answer to Gloucestershire right-armer Jon Lewis, who claimed 6-77 as the home side were restricted to 271 in their first innings at Worcester.

Craig Spearman (15) was an early Gloucestershire casualty, falling to Zaheer Khan, but the visitors reached 115 for two at the close with Hamish Marshall (56 not out) looking comfortable.

Vikram Solanki was Worcestershire’s top scorer with 60.

Leicestershire were 333 for six in reply to Derbyshire’s 386 on the second day at Grace Road with Jeremy Snape not out on 53.

In Division One, bottom side Middlesex were making steady progress against leaders Sussex at Southgate.

Having reached 507, including 115 from Chris Adams, in their knock, the visitors had appeared to be in control but found Middlesex surprisingly tough opponents despite two wickets for the in-form Yasir Arafat.

Ed Smith (75), Owais Shah (85) and Ed Joyce (68) all made useful contributions for the home side who were 344 for four at the close of day two.

Kent were set a victory target of 215 by Lancashire at Canterbury with the visitors having made 436, including 37 from recovering England captain Andrew Flintoff, in their second innings.

There was time for just four overs before the close on the penultimate day with the home side cutting the deficit by three.

Yorkshire’s recovery continued at Scarborough where they had the upper hand as they reached 536 in reply to Warwickshire’s opening 201.

Andrew Gale led the way for the home side - who only registered their first championship victory last week - with 149.

There was also 97 from Gerard Brophy as the Warwickshire attack struggled, with Heath Streak having a particularly difficult day having given up 93 runs in 19 overs with no wicket for his labour.