County wrap: Wrecking Ball floors Yorkshire

England Lions bowler Jake Ball stole the limelight from a host of internationals in the clash between Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire to headline day two of County action in England.

Ball, a right-arm quick from Notts, took advantage of helpful conditions on a rain-affected day at Trent Bridge to run through Yorkshire's star-studded top order in a sizzling spell.

Quick Single: The dawn of an Aussie golden age

Defending his side's first-innings total of 261, the 25-year-old removed Test hopeful Adam Lyth with the first ball of the innings, and had another Test aspirant, Gary Ballance, out for seven a short while later.

The prized scalp came the very next ball, with England's top batsman Joe Root tickling an edge to first slip to trigger raucous celebrations among the Notts players.

Youngster Alex Lees (91no) led a spirited recovery as Yorkshire finished 4-170 at stumps.

Ball's spell has prompted plenty of discussion regarding his England chances ahead of a three-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning May 19.

In four first-class matches for Notts this summer, the right-armer has 19 wickets at 16.37.

Quick Single: Warner toasts unlikely milestone

In Taunton, Somerset captain Chris Rogers was again left waiting for his chance to bat in his 300th first-class match, after an impressive 108no from No.7 Liam Livingstone pushed Lancashire to 9-493 declared.

Somerset are 0-14 in reply, with Rogers due in next in his milestone match.

Elsewhere, Alastair Cook added another century to his seemingly ever-growing collection as Essex moved into a dominant position at 2-335 against Worcestershire in another rain-interrupted match.

Cook put on 222 for the second wicket with Tom Westley (125), moving to an unbeaten 130 at the close of play alongside Ravi Bopara (48no).

It is the England Test captain's third first-class hundred in four matches already this summer, while Westley is also in a purple patch, having peeled off scores of 110, 121, 86, 16, 64 and now 125 to lead all comers in the County Championship run-scoring chart.

At Southampton's Rose Bowl, Australia-born England hopeful Sam Robson (5) and incumbent Test No.3 Nick Compton (1) failed to enhance their chances of selection in Trevor Bayliss's squad for the Sri Lanka series, Middlesex slipping to 3-84 and without the services of a concussed Adam Voges in reply to Hampshire's 336.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Leicestershire pair Paul Horton (100) and Australian Mark Cosgrove (80) moved their side into a strong position at 4-300 in response to Sussex's 163.