Alex Hales, England’s discarded Test opener, made a claim for inclusion in the middle order after scoring a run-a-ball double century — the second of his first-class career — as Nottinghamshire racked up 508 for nine declared on day two at Derby.
Hales hit 38 fours and one six as he scored 218 runs off the same number of deliveries. His wicket brought Jake Ball in — he hit four sixes of his own in 43 off 24 balls. Facing a first-innings deficit of 288, Derbyshire lost Luis Reece, finishing on 45 for one.
Key stat
313
runs Hales has scored off 248 balls in the past three days: 95 in the T20 on Saturday and 218 yesterday
On a rain-affected day one at Taunton, Tom Abell scored an unbeaten 88 in a partnership of 138 with Stephen Davies (68 not out) as Somerset finished on 234 for four against Surrey.
Worcestershire reached stumps at 231 for eight in response to Sussex’s 430. Joe Clarke scored 77 and was one of five wickets to fall in total to Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer.
California-born Cameron Steel registered his first double century for Durham before he fell to Leicestershire’s Neil Dexter for 224 — one of five wickets for the South African. Paul Collingwood declared with Durham on 525 for eight, and Leicestershire finished on 124 for four. At Lord’s, Warwickshire reached 293 for eight in their second innings against Middlesex. In his first first-class match since December, Chris Woakes scored 53.