Nottinghamshire's bowlers were forced to work hard for their rewards as Gary Ballance led Yorkshire’s fightback on the second day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

The 28-year scored his second hundred of the season as the visitors reached the close on 258 for four, still 190 runs adrift.

Ballance was at his best as he raced to a 44-ball half century before settling down to a more workmanlike pace as he advanced to his 34th career ton from 121 deliveries.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore added an unbeaten 57, sharing in a stand of 95 with Ballance, who had earlier put on 78 with Harry Brook.

In the first part of the day Nottinghamshire extended their first innings total to 448 all out, thanks to a stand of 90 between Samit Patel and Milnes before both batsmen were removed by Josh Poysden.

Milnes was pinned lbw for a career best 43, whilst Patel had pulled the spinner for six to go to his sixth 50 of the summer but was then caught in the deep two balls later.

Their partnership – the highest for the county’s eighth wicket this season – ensured that Notts picked up maximum batting points for the first time this season.

Harry Gurney hit a lusty 14 before being dismissed by Tim Bresnan, who finished with three for 93, whilst Matthew Waite took three for 91.

Notts then built on a fine session by removing Adam Lyth for a duck before lunch and Jeet Raval for 15 shortly afterwards.

Harry Brook made 47, sharing in a stand of 78 for the third wicket before clipping Patel to Luke Wood at midwicket.

Ballance was in good touch; driving and cutting his way to his first career hundred at Trent Bridge, having been dismissed on the ground for 99 in the 2014 match when his side sealed the title.

In the end his dismissal was tame. Patel, who wheeled away for 22 consecutive overs either side of tea, for figures of two for 51, was the grateful recipient as the England international thrust bat and pad towards the ball, only to see it pop up gently into the hands of Ben Slater at short leg.

Kohler-Cadmore reached his second 50 of the season from 119 deliveries and will resume on the third day alongside Jonny Tattersall, who closed on 12 not out.

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