BLACKCAPS duo in county action

BLACKCAPS batsmen Hamish Marshall and Stephen Fleming are at the halfway mark of their first County Championship games of the season.

Marshall was the standout batsman in a disappointing Gloucestershire performance against Somerset at Taunton.

The State Northern Knights right-hander, who replaced the injured Craig Spearman, made 86 of Glos' 201, with Charl Willoughby claiming five for 33 after Cameron White's double hundred.

Following on, the visitors were 104 without loss, still 190 adrift of avoiding an innings defeat.

Fleming's Nottinghamshire are also chasing promotion from Division Two, and top the table after four matches.

They are in a strong position against Essex at Trent Bridge after David Hussey's 274 helped them to 667 for seven, eclipsing the visitors 317 after two days. 

The BLACKCAPS Test captain, also Notts' skipper, made 32 in an 87-run stand with the Western Australian.