Record stand as Azhar hits double ton

Division Two

Worcestershire’s Azhar Ali scored a superb double hundred as he and fellow centurion Jack Haynes rewrote the record books against Leicestershire at New Road.

Pakistan Test star Azhar and former England Under-19s international Haynes put on 281 for the third wicket – a record partnership against Leicestershire, surpassing the 278 by Cyril Walters and Harold Gibbons in 1934.

Their efforts were largely responsible for Worcestershire reaching 456 for three by the close – a lead of 308. Haynes was eventually dismissed for 127 but Azhar went on to bring up his double ton in the final over of the day with a cover drive.

Nottinghamshire will begin day three of their match with a lead of 74 after a day that began with a flurry of boundaries turned at times into an attritional battle that reflected well on an inexperienced Derbyshire attack. Ben Duckett top scored with 86 but, although every other Nottinghamshire batsman bar Haseeb Hameed was able to build the foundations of an innings, none went on to make a score of real substance.

Durham’s Liam Trevaskis missed out on the opportunity of a maiden first-class hundred on a truncated second day against Middlesex at Lord’s. The 23-year-old all-rounder, who posted his first-class best of 88 at Hove last month, was left stranded on 80 after running out of partners as Durham were dismissed for exactly 350.

Toby Roland-jones finished with figures of four for 72, with wicketkeeper John Simpson claiming four dismissals – including an eye-catching one-handed dive to remove Brydon Carse.