LV= COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Bristol:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Northants 186 & 243 Gloucestershire 86 & 85-2 (Glos 3pts, Northants 3pts)
Match scorecard

Paceman Brooks was playing only his fourth County Championship innings

Jack Brooks hit a timely first half-century in County Championship cricket to put Northants in a strong position on the second day at Bristol.

Gloucestershire looked back in the game after an action-packed opening day when reducing their opponents to 134-8 in their second innings, a lead of 234.

But Brooks (53) was joined by Paul Harrison (44) in a ninth-wicket stand of 82 to help Northants reach 243.

That set Gloucestershire a daunting 344 to win, the home side closing on 85-2.

Having deferred his decision after seeing 23 wickets fall on the first day, England and Wales Cricket Board pitch inspector Jack Birkenshaw decided not to recommend any points deduction for Gloucestershire.

Admitting that it was a borderline decision, Birkenshaw took into account some poor batting and the fact that the Nevil Road surface played better as the game progressed on day two.

Gemaal Hussain had previously only taken two wickets in first-class cricket

But, on a pitch still offering plenty of assistance to the seamers, the Gloucestershire batsmen, bowled out for just 86 first time round, will need to bat a lot better than on Thursday to amass the 259 still required.

After his first innings career-best five-wicket haul, Gemaal Hussain again stole the bowling honours, adding another three scalps to his one overnight second innings wicket.

That left the much-travelled trialist with figures of 4-52 and a match analysis of 9-98 on only his second Championship appearance.

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