Middlesex 132 for 8 (Robson 56*, Bailey 3-24 ) vs Lancashire

By the time a mix of rain and dangerous gentle had shortened play by 38 overs, Robson’s relegation-threatened facet had struggled to 132 for 8 and their issues had been in sharp distinction to the prosperity Kent had been having fun with at Canterbury, the place Zak Crawley’s century had helped Kent make up three of the seven factors between the edges on the backside of Division One.

However, Middlesex supporters might be grateful their plight was not worse. Their close-of-play place represented a restoration from 19 for five, the rating when Ryan Higgins joined Robson to placed on 64, the one substantial partnership of the innings so far.

Predictably, maybe, Middlesex’s innings started dreadfully. Mark Stoneman was out for nought within the third over when he edged Bailey to the secure fingers of Tom Hartley at fourth slip and 9 balls later Joe Cracknell was bowled for one when Williams introduced one again from exterior off stump to defeat his free drive.

Robson and Jack Davies then defied the Lancashire seamers for 45 minutes however that was merely the prelude to the autumn of three wickets in 16 balls. Davies was caught by Phil Salt off Wood for 4 when he gloved an tried pull down the leg facet; Max Holden was out first ball when his hesitant push to an excellent ball from Wood merely edged a catch to George Bell at first slip; after which, having made only a single, the usually dependable John Simpson nicked a George Balderson supply to Salt.

Ryan Higgins joined Robson and the sixth-wicket pair effected modest repairs both facet of lunch with Higgins’ dedicated strokeplay a refreshing change from the indecision that had gone earlier than. Seven overs after the resumption, although, he was bowled by Williams for a 50-ball 41 and by the point rain arrived to interrupt play for 90 minutes Josh de Caires had additionally departed, caught at first slip by Bell off Bailey for 14.

Play resumed beneath cloudy skies and with 5 slips posted however the subsequent wicket fell in unconventional vogue when Jayant Yadav marked his Middlesex debut by pulling Bailey straight to Luke Wells at slip and departing for 4.

The guests’ hopes of constructing a aggressive first-innings complete now relaxation on Robson, the one batter to have made a first-class century this season for a workforce that has gained simply two batting bonus factors in 12 innings.