Middlesex rue missed opportunities against Surrey

Middlesex were left ruing a missed run-out opportunity as Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten century put their London rivals in command of their County Championship clash at Lord’s.

Sangakkara had made just 24 when he responded eagerly to Dominic Sibley’s call for a single and found himself stranded but, with the Middlesex fielders slow to react, Toby Roland-Jones’ shy at the stumps flew wide.

The Sri Lankan star went on to reach 113 not out, with Sibley hitting 54, before rain halted the first day’s play with the visitors well placed at 265-5.

Middlesex won the toss – with Surrey surprisingly passing up the option of fielding in overcast conditions – but needed almost 13 overs to make the breakthough, Steven Finn (2-65) having Mark Stoneman caught behind for 33.

Home skipper James Franklin (2-38) appeared to have put his side firmly in the driving seat, removing Scott Borthwick (8) leg before and then Rory Burns (33), who fell to a superb slip catch from Ollie Rayner at 83-3.

However, Middlesex failed to press home their advantage in the afternoon session, with Adam Voges putting down Sibley at first slip before the botched run-out gave Sangakkara a fortuitous reprieve.

The Surrey pair added 114 for the fourth wicket before Tom Helm finally gained his reward, finding the edge of Sibley’s bat as Voges made amends for his earlier drop.

Ben Foakes (19) proved to be another staunch ally for Sangakkara, who laid into Rayner’s bowling and clattered the spinner for 14 in one over before advancing to his century with a push through the covers for three.

Although Foakes edged Finn behind just before the heavens opened, Sangakkara’s efforts have left Middlesex with plenty to do over the next three days.