Tough start to Voges' captaincy reign

Adam Voges had a difficult start to his Middlesex captaincy reign after the side was rolled for 181 on day two of their Division One match against Nottinghamshire.

Skipper Voges was trapped LBW for 29 by England international Harry Gurney as his side struggled chasing Notts’ 298.

Gurney finished with three wickets before Nottinghamshire continued to dominate in their second innings, finishing the day 2-101 with a lead of 218 runs.

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Earlier, former Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor scored a century in Notts’ first innings.

“Voges was a big wicket, he averaged over 100 in Australia during the winter and I just got one to nip down the slope,” Gurney told The Guardian.

Image Id: ~/media/0BF5330F1B684EFDA83B8A23DA33C50DNottinghamshire celebrate a Middlesex wicket // Getty Images

Voges signed a deal in November to captain Middlesex for the 2015 season but will only appear in Middlesex’s first four matches after being included in Australia’s Test squads for the West Indies and England.

His inclusion followed a stunning Shield season for the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors where he scored 1358 runs at 104.46 and posted six centuries.

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In other Division One county action, Victoria bowler John Hastings helped Durham take the upper hand against a Somerset side featuring South Australia batsman Tom Cooper.

The West End Redbacks batsman was dismissed for five runs in Somerset’s second innings as the home side were reduced to 4-54 at stumps on day two, still trialling Durham by 27 runs.

Earlier, an unbeaten century from former England captain Paul Collingwood – who had already claimed five wickets – set up Durham’s innings, as the visitors scored  380 in reply to Somerset’s first innings total of 299.

At the Ageas Bowl, Hampshire were also in trouble, trialling Sussex by 224 runs with one wicket remaining.

Hampshire were 9-220 at stumps on day two after stumbling chasing 444, with former Queensland and Western Australia seamer Steve Magoffin claiming two wickets for Sussex to follow up his 41 with the bat.

Hampshire headed into their season opener without Tasmanian fast bowler Jackson Bird, who was ruled out of the first match with an injury.

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In Division Two, Leicestershire captain Mark Cosgrove will likely get his chance with the bat on day three of his side’s clash with Glamorgan.

Chasing Glamorgan’s 513, which was led by centuries from former South Africa international Jacques Rudolph and No.3 batsman Will Bragg, Leicestershire reached 1-202 at stumps on day two.

Leicestershire are without Clint Mckay in their opening match, who was married in Bali on the weekend, with the former Australia seamer available for their next outing later this month, while Nottinghamshire fast bowler Andy Carter is playing for Glamorgan on a month's loan to cover for injured Western Australian Michael Hogan, who hopes to return next month.

Image Id: ~/media/D9B6C1BAEA574B888730EEE676130077Clint McKay was married in Bali on the weekend

In Taunton, promising young Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb was bowled for 15 as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 296 chasing Northamptonshire’s 333.

The home side reached 2-68 at stumps to hold a 105-run lead with two days remaining.

Australians in English county cricket

• Derbyshire: Nathan Rimmington (T20 only)
• Durham: John Hastings
• Essex: Shaun Tait (T20 only)
• Glamorgan: Michael Hogan
• Gloucestershire: Michael Klinger, Peter Handscomb
• Hampshire: Jackson Bird
• Lancashire: James Faulkner
• Leicestershire: Mark Cosgrove, Clint McKay
• Middlesex: Adam Voges
• Nottinghamshire: Ben Hilfenhaus
• Somerset: Tom Cooper
• Sussex: Steve Magoffin
• Yorkshire: Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell (T20 only)