AS he mooched off the field on Tuesday evening and was collared to grudgingly do an interview for Sky television, Paul Franks was understandably down in the dumps.

Having seen his beloved Notts' County Championship title chances take an almighty hit, it was hardly surprising he was not really in the mood to talk.

Little did he know then that, just 24 hours later, the all-rounder would be chatting about being the spark for a remarkable and defiant Notts recovery that would put him in a significantly better state of mind.

Suddenly, after being quizzed about the green and golds' miserable first innings submission for 59, he was asked for his opinion on the most unlikely of victories.

And those questions were only made possible after the Sutton-in-Ashfield-born player had led from the front as a makeshift opener.

From a 201-run deficit at the start of play with two Yorkshire wickets still intact, Notts transformed that into a 152-run lead in the space of 92 pulsating overs.

Franks was a key protagonist in that with a season-best score of 79, beating his 73 in the season opener with Kent, also at Trent Bridge.

It took him past 600 runs for the season – in addition to his 41 wickets – in what has been a fine season for the all-rounder.

Following the retirement of Mark Ealham at the end of last summer, he has quickly become the fulcrum of the team and once again came up with the goods when his team needed it most.

Despite batting in an unrecognised position at the top of the order – in the absence of another genuine opener to partner Alex Hales – Franks was superb.

It seemed the message from director of cricket Mick Newell was to go out and play positively – and the 31-year-old certainly did that.

After sharing a season-best opening stand of 56 with Hales (24), just three shy of what the entire Notts team managed in their first effort, Franks and Mark Wagh took command.

They put together 131 in 25 overs for the second wicket that put Yorkshire on the back foot for the first time.

Franks was desperate to go to three figures and looked well poised to do so. However, he came up 21 short, having struck 12 fours from 114 balls, when he edged spinner Adil Rashid into the hands of Jacques Rudolph at slip.

It was bemusing that the 'leggie' had not been introduced into the attack before Notts had reached 184-1, especially when the later also accounted for Wagh (90), who holed out to mid-on trying to drive over the top.

But by then the former Warwickshire man had followed up his partnership with Franks by adding a further 91 in 20 overs with overseas player Adam Voges.

Wagh sped along to make his contribution from 125 deliveries, including 14 boundaries and two sixes off Steven Patterson (pulled over mid-wicket) and Rashid (straight down the ground).

Voges, who went to his own half century from 69 balls with nine fours, lost Samit Patel and Ali Brown in quick succession to loose shots.

But Chris Read (24 not out), dropped on seven by keeper Brophy off Ajmal Shahzad, stuck around with the Aussie to add 38 more valuable runs.

It looked as if the pair would see Notts through to the close but in the fifth last over, Oliver Hannon-Dalby induced a nick from Voges (72), shortly after taking the new ball.

All that came after Andre Adams had needed just seven deliveries (13 in all) to finish off the Yorkshire first innings for 264, giving him figures of 6-82.

The only thing lacking from Notts was that one of their three men to really get in failed to go on to a century.

Nevertheless, a match that many were predicting Yorkshire would win inside two days is back on, even if the visitors and their strong batting line-up are still favourites.

No-one really believed director of cricket Mick Newell when he said Notts could make 400 second time around, possibly even the man himself, but several factors have combined to alter the course of the game.

Most obviously, Notts batted with a great deal more poise, but it was also noticeable that Yorkshire did not bowl anywhere near as well, as reflected in their concession of 40 extras.

But a third factor could also be the most pertinent; the pitch has flattened out considerably.

Whatever the outcome – and there will be one today but for rain – an exciting outcome looks in store.

Should Notts advance their lead past the 175 mark, then it would be no gimme for Yorkshire, batting last and under pressure.

Only last week, neighbours Derbyshire were bowled out for only 44 yet went on to beat Gloucestershire.

Stranger things have happened.

Craig Kieswetter hit his highest LV=County Championship score of the season as second-placed Somerset moved into a strong position against Lancashire on the second day at Taunton.

The England one-day international made 84 off 80 balls, with nine fours and a six, to help his side to 350-8 – a lead of 91 runs, by the time heavy rain ended play an hour early.

Gary Keedy took 5-81 to reduce the home side to 276-8 before an unbroken stand of 74 between Ben Phillips (29 not out) and Murali Kartik (37 not out) took Somerset to an invaluable fourth batting point.