DAY 3:

Ben Hutton scored a resilient century to keep Middlesex’s hopes of securing a draw against Warwickshire alive. He was ably supported by Sven Koenig (57), with whom he put on 167 for the first wicket- a score higher than that of Middlesex’s 1st innings total!

Following yesterdays batting debacle, Paul Weekes and David Nash dug in to attempt to rebuild some of the damage done by Warwickshire’s pace bowlers. Despite their best efforts and a stand of 83, it was not nearly enough to help the ‘sex out substantially.

Some say that lightning never strikes twice, but in this innings, it did. A second batting collapse of the innings soon followed and Middlesex lost their last 5 wickets for just 8 runs, with Ian Bell embarrassing the tail by capturing 4-4 with his very military medium dobbers. Neil Carter produced a more workmanlike display in order to finish with figures of 4-50.

Middlesex found batting somewhat easier the 2nd time around, with Hutton and Koenig making their first authoritative stand of the season. The former also went on to record his maiden century of the current campaign as the pair began to find their feet. Mark Wagh spoilt the party though, as he took the wickets of Koenig and the out of form Shah for the loss of just 6 runs. But Ed Joyce joined Hutton to guide the ‘sex to the close.

DAY 3:

Nick Knight put hopes of a Middlesex victory to bed, as he became the 2nd Warwickshire batsman in 3 years to score a triple century at Lord’s. Mark Wagh scored 315 in the same fixture during 2001 and today captain Knight joined his opening partner by recording 303 not out at the home of cricket.

Warwickshire seemed keen to pile on the misery at Lord’s. If Knight’s feat wasn’t enough, Ian Bell shared in a stand of 254 with Knight as the England hopeful made a century of his own.

Nantie Hayward put in a brave performance as he took 3 early wickets on day 2, with Bell, Trott and Troughton all departing for the addition of only 10 runs. However, Brad Hogg’s appearance aided Knight further as the Australian scored 71 in a partnership of 150 with his skipper. Knight’s intentions soon became clear and it was no surprise that he eventually declared after reaching a marathon triple hundred. By this time, Warwickshire had also amassed the small matter of 608 runs for the loss of only 7 wickets.

Middlesex were then hit by that all to familiar problem of tiredness from the field as they lost 5 wickets in just 25 overs of play, with Owais Shah scoring another duck. One begins to feel that despite the high opinion the big chiefs have of the current captain, he could benefit from some time out of the squad. Paul Weekes was the only batsman able to make any kind of respectable impression as he remained unbeaten on 32 when Middlesex were dealt a lifeline with the offer of the light.

Two days still remain and the Mountain that the ‘sex have to climb looks to be getting bigger, with a follow on inevitable.

DAY 1:

Warwickshire gained the upper hand thanks to centuries from Nick Knight and Ian Bell against a Middlesex attack missing Chad Keegan for the 2nd consecutive championship game. Jamie Dalrymple took the only wicket of the day, having Mark Wagh caught for 43.

SCORES:

WARWICKSHIRE 1ST INNINGS (WARWICKSHIRE WON TOSS):

Did not bat: Pretorius and Tahir

MIDDLESEX 1ST INNINGS:

MIDDLESEX 2ND INNINGS (FOLLOWING ON):

RESULT: WARWICKSHIRE WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 8 RUNS

POINTS: WARWICKSHIRE- 22, MIDDLESEX- 1.

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