Bailey and Franklin dig in to save Middlesex

George Bailey and James Franklin built a match-saving partnership of 174 in 51 overs as Middlesex batted out time to secure a draw at Lord’s, which keeps them 13 points clear at the top of County Championship Division One.

Bailey finished on 110 not out, his first century for the county, and Franklin made 70 to rescue the hosts after they had wobbled at 82-5, chasing 389 to win.

Zafar Ansari took three wickets in the first 35 minutes after lunch to give Surrey hope of victory but Bailey and Franklin blunted the visiting attack.

Deep inside the final hour, Ansari finally bowled Franklin to earn himself figures of 4-63.

Bailey batted for 199 balls, hitting 20 fours, and Franklin’s 153-ball effort included 10 boundaries.

Ansari, a leading contender for England’s second spinner role on the sub-continent this winter, removed Nick Compton (22), Dawid Malan (29) and John Simpson (4) in an excellent post-lunch spell after Middlesex had lost both openers to the new ball.

From 26-2, Compton and Malan put on 45 before the exiled England man was stumped, sparking a middle-order collapse.

To their immense credit, Bailey and Franklin were equal to the challenge and, by the time Franklin was dropped on 66 by Foakes off Sam Curran, the draw was all but certain.

Earlier in the day, Surrey added 32 in four overs to their overnight 234-6, with Ben Foakes left on 65 not out.