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County wrap: Sangakkara shines for Surrey

Sri Lankan legend does what he does best as Voges, Cook also continue strong form

Kumar Sangakkara's stunning 171 was the highlight of the County Championship in the UK on Sunday, with the left-hander providing the basis of Surrey's 5-394 against Somerset at The Oval.

Sangakkara, who has retired from international cricket, was a class above Somerset's bowling group at the London venue, proving a class above as he flayed the ball to all parts.

The Sri Lankan superstar reached his century from just 94 balls and, as is his habit, kicked on to make it a big one, his 171 coming from just 176 balls and including 24 fours and four sixes.

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It was Sangakkara's 56 first-class hundred – brought up with a six over cover – and in just 22 innings he has already scored 1000 runs for Surrey.

The 38-year-old found strong support in 25-year-old Englishman Rory Burns, who made 80 at the top of the order, as well as England T20 star Jason Roy, who entertaining 85 from 88 ensured the run rate stayed above 4.5 as the hosts took control of the match.

Elsewhere, Gary Ballance did his claims for an England recall no harm on a rain-affected day at Edgbaston, making 50no in Yorkshire's 4-177.

With England seeking to confirm their middle-order ahead of their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, Ballance will have an opportunity to further push his case when he resumes on day two alongside Jack Leaning, also not out 50.

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At the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Middlesex made the most of winning the toss, piling on 7-358 against Durham.

Australia batsman and Middlesex captain Adam Voges contributed an even 50 from just 69 balls, adding to his 92 against Warwickshire at Lord's only a week ago.

One has to trace his records back to the New Year's Test against West Indies to find a first-class match in which Voges hasn't raised his bat at least once, and in that match, there was good reason – he didn't bat.

Since, his first-class scores read: 149, 239, 60, 10no, 28, 89, 52, 92 and 50.

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For Durham, Ben Stokes returned for his first hit-out since the World T20 final, when he was on the receiving end of Carlos Brathwaite's match-winning heroics in the final over.

Stokes bowled 21.3 overs, taking 2-66 as the hosts' bowlers generally toiled on a day that favoured the batsmen.  

Youngster Daniel Bell-Drummond was a one-man band in Kent's total of 7-224 on day one against Leicestershire, the 22-year-old opener making a fine 124 as Australian Clint McKay (2-55) carried on his impressive form to lead the way for the home side.

Bell-Drummond's opening partner Sean Dickson was out for a second-ball duck in remarkable fashion, handling the ball as it threatened to roll onto his stumps.

West Australian Cameron Bancroft continued his early-season struggles for Gloucestershire, falling for 15 before his side was saved by Kiwi veteran Hamish Marshall (123) against Worcestershire.

England captain Alastair Cook continued his impressive form with 65 in Essex's 3-335 on day one against Northamptonshire.

Each of Essex's top four batsmen passed 50, with Ravi Bopara unbeaten on 57 heading into day two at Chelmsford.