Franklin shines amid Trent Bridge gloom

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Close, day two: Nottinghamshire 180-4 trail Middlesex 374 by 194 runs

Middlesex skipper James Franklin took two wickets in three balls to restrict Nottinghamshire to 180-4 at the end of a rain-affected second day at Trent Bridge.

Earlier, team-mate Dawid Malan had finished unbeaten on 182 as the visitors added 62 to their overnight score to be bowled out for 374.

Malan’s stand with James Harris (73) reached 175 before it was finally ended, eight runs short of the club record eighth-wicket partnership.

Notts’ reply was delayed by rain which forced an early lunch but once they got underway, openers Brendan Taylor and Alex Hales put on 40.

Harris then bowled Hales for 18 to become the first player to 50 County Championship wickets this season.

Michael Lumb made just nine before he was the first of Franklin’s three victims, but Taylor and Steven Mullaney added 71 – either side of more delays for rain and the tea interval – to leave Notts looking well-placed at 145-2.

Then, deep into the evening session, Franklin struck. He first bowled Taylor for a well-constructed 77 and two balls later caught Riki Wessels off his bowling.

Mullaney brought up his half century and with Samit Patel saw Notts through to an early finish as bad light curtailed proceedings, with the home side 194 behind.

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