Guptill hits 227, Voges falls short

New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill blasted a sensational maiden first-class double century to put Derbyshire in a winning position on the second day of their English county match with Gloucestershire.

The 28-year-old hit 227 off just 176 balls, with 29 fours and 11 sixes, reaching his double hundred with three successive maximums off Liam Norwell as his side ran up 8-511 in reply to the home side's 275.

By the close Derbyshire led by 236, having scored 487 runs in the day, 241 of which came in the final session.

Elsewhere, at Taunton, Australian Test squad member Adam Voges fell just short of his maiden century for Middlesex this season, dismissed for 98 as his side made a solid start in their effort to reel in Somerset's first innings of 408.

Voges shared a 139-run partnership with opener Nick Gubbins (92) to put Middlesex in a strong position before rain stopped play.

A combination of the break in play and Somerset's decision to take the new ball changed the match, with Middlesex falling from 2-199 to be 7-306 at stumps.

At Chester-le-Street, Victoria's John Hastings earned Durham a first-innings lead with a rear-guard innings of 72 batting at No.10 against Sussex.

Hastings put on 116 for the ninth wicket with Usman Arshad, taking Durham from 8-222 to 309 in reply to Sussex's 305.

The burly right-hander's innings came after Sussex's last pair of Oliver Robinson and Matthew Hobden had put on 164 on day one to smash a 107-year-old record.

Hastings wasn't the only Victorian fast bowler in the runs, with Clint McKay hitting five fours and a six in a crucial innings of 47 on debut for Leicestershire against Northamptonshire.

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Voges during his innings of 98 at Taunton // Getty

McKay helped lift his side to 305 in reply to Northants' 251 before the visitors finished the day on 2-105 in their second innings.

Of the other Aussies involved on day two of the latest round of matches, Lancashire's Peter Siddle took 1-39 and scored 12 with the bat against Kent, Steve Magoffin took 2-56 against Hastings's Durham while Leicestershire captain Mark Cosgrove scored 11.

The story of the day, however, was Guptill's innings in Bristol.

On a day when Gloucestershire spilled six catches, the Kiwi received good support from Ben Slater (56), Billy Godleman (44) and Shiv Thakor, who contributed a sparkling 83 off 109 balls, with 13 fours and a six.

Matt Taylor claimed 5-89 for Gloucestershire but that merely served as damage limitation on a record-breaking day.

Guptill reached three figures off 101 balls with a glorious straight drive for four off Craig Miles before he was dropped by Will Tavare a short time later.

By the time the second new ball was taken at 4-360, Guptill had reached 150 off 147 balls, with 23 fours and four sixes.

The irrepressible Guptill then started lofting the ball over the ropes at will to reach 200 off 165 balls.

An unforgettable exhibition came to an end when he miscued a Taylor full toss to Australian Peter Handscomb at extra cover, giving the bowler his fifth wicket.

Earlier this month Guptill earned a recall to the New Zealand Test team after scoring the most runs (547) by any player at the World Cup.