COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Trent Bridge
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Somerset 138, Notts 261 (Notts 5pts, Somerset 3pt)
6-9 May 2009 (Play starts 1100 BST)

Aussie batsman Adam Voges struck nine fours in his 140-ball innings

Half-centuries from Adam Voges and Ally Brown gave Nottinghamshire the upper hand over Somerset at Trent Bridge.

The pair, who were both dismissed for 63, shared 119 for the fifth wicket as the hosts were bowled out for 261 to earn a first-innings lead of 123.

South African left-arm paceman Charl Willoughby picked up 5-81.

Somerset then reduced the deficit to 14 by the close, reaching 137-3, with Marcus Trescothick unbeaten on 66 and visiting skipper Justin Langer on 25.

Notts resumed the day on 55-3 in response to Somerset's first-day 138 and the visitors enjoyed a great start when Willoughby struck in his first over, Bilal Shafayat gloving behind without adding to his overnight total of 19.

But under sunnier skies than on day one, Voges and Brown came together to put on 119 for the fifth wicket either side of lunch.

As ever, former Surrey man Brown was keen to get on with things, showing his intent by twice lifting Zander de Bruyn straight back down the ground.

Australian Voges played a more textbook innings, although he did survive on 18 when Craig Kieswetter failed to cling on to a difficult chance down the legside.

Brown should have gone shortly after the resumption on 46 when Omari Banks failed to hold on to a straightforward catch in the gully.

But the century stand came up from 185 balls before Brown reached his half-century by punching Willoughby to the ropes.

Voges then became Willoughby's fourth victim, adjudged leg before wicket to an inswinger. And Brown followed eight runs later, followed by Mark Ealham.

But, just when the Nottinghamshire innings was in danger of collapsing at 189-7, Andre Adams joined skipper Chris Read to put on a rapid 42 for the eighth wicket.

And Ryan Sidebottom (13) offered Read valuable support as they put on a further 30.

Trescothick ensured Somerset got off to a flier second time around. But, having slumped from 50-0 to 92-3, Langer came in at number five and helped ensure no further mishaps.

BBC Radio Nottingham's Robin Chipperfield gives his verdict on the second day at Trent Bridge:

"Day Three promises to be intriguing. When Notts dismissed James Hildreth, with Somerset still 31 behind, they would have hoped to get rid of either Marcus Trescothick or Justin Langer shortly afterwards.

"The fact that the two star names went on, relatively untroubled, to take Somerset into a lead means that the game is still in the balance.

"There wasn't as much swing as on the first day, which enabled the likes of Adam Voges and Ali Brown to profit, with useful runs down the order from Chris Read and Andre Adams.

"Notts need to take early wickets on a pitch that appears to be getting easier (what Somerset did to Durham last week is fresh in the mind!).

"And Somerset will not have ruled out winning this game, because there's still so much time left."

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