That set Warwickshire a target of 115 to win. They achieved that target with the loss of three wickets,  Bell once again top scored, finishing on 47 not out, finishing with 278 in the match.

Day 3:

Middlesex moved a step closer to saving the match as they took a lead of 5, with 7 wickets in hand at the close of play. Bell and Giles picked up where they left off last night with a partnership of 167 before Giles fell to Richardson for 62. Bell carrired on but was eventually run out on 231 as the hosts reached 430 all out.

Middlesex's second innings never really gained that much momentum but the top order managed to reach 137/3 at the close of play with Owais Shah (36*) and Ed Joyce (21*) the men in. Andy Strauss showed some signs of regaining his form with 37 whilst Ed Smith also hit 30. It was hardly edge of the seat stuff though; Ben Hutton needed 103 balls to reach the mighty total of....... 12.

Here's hoping for a more entertaining, and from a Middx perspective, sucsessful day tomorrow!

Day 2:

Ian Bell staked his Ashes claim with a clinical batting display as play closed with him 143 not out on day two. Having been 18/2 overnight, Warwickshire were keen to show their class when play started after a rain delay. Alan Richardson carried on where he left off yesterday reducing the hosts to 51/3, removing Trott (21) before Warwickshire got the runs they wanted.

And then it went horribly wrong. Assisted by Loudon (39) and Giles (30*), Bell guided the hosts from a dangerous position to 277/6 at close, only 21 behind Middlesex who will need to be twice as clinical tomorrow as Bell was today.

Day 1:

Middlesex fought back from a poor start to set up an interesting match at Edgbaston. Having won the toss, Ben Hutton chose to bat first but with the top 4 falling for a combined total of 39 it didn't seem like the best of ideas. It was left to Ed Joyce (92) to save the day again. He was helped by Scott Styris (53) on his championship debut and Ben Scott (37). The tail added 35 runs of their own, 26 from Paul Hutchinson before ending on 298 all out.

If the reigning champions thought they were heading for an easy win at the change over, they weren't by the end of play. Alan Richardson, dropped during their victorious season last year, set off in gaining revenge, removing Powell and Knight in the same over, restricting them to 18/2 at close. Day 2 certainly looks like it will be interesting!

Please click here for the scorecard for this match

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