Middlesex bowlers let Warwickshire off the hook

Middlesex’s depleted seam attack let Warwickshire off the hook as the hosts reached 302-7 on the first day at Edgbaston.

Despite missing Steven Finn (back injury) and Toby Roland-Jones (on England duty), Middlesex had bowled well as a unit to leave Warwickshire vulnerable at several points – 19-2, 119-4 and 219-6.

But Rikki Clarke made a timely return to form with the bat, out in the final over of the day for a classy 83 to relieve the pressure on his side.

On each occasion that Middlesex had looked on top, the killer thrusts eluded them – Warwickshire’s resistance was led first by Jonathan Trott (49) and 20-year-old Matt Lamb (51), before Clarke took over.

After taking up the option to bowl, the visitors swiftly removed both openers. William Porterfield edged Tim Murtagh to wicketkeeper John Simpson, and then Andy Umeed fell to a third-slip catch by Steve Eskinazi off James Harris.

Trott, captaining the side with Ian Bell ruled out by a sore elbow, added 67 in 17 overs with Sam Hain (35) before the latter edged Ryan Higgins behind.

Former England batsman Trott looked in excellent nick but departed in curious fashion when he tried to fetch a pull from the off-side but instead sent the simplest of return catches to Tom Helm.

The impressive Higgins trapped Tim Ambrose lbw but Lamb reached his maiden Championship half-century in 120 balls, before Ollie Rayner induced an edge to slip where Sam Robson took a fine catch.

At 219-6, further quick wickets would have given Middlesex control but Keith Barker dug in alongside Clarke and the seventh-wicket pair saw off the old ball to add 83, before Harris struck late on.