Malan digs in after Hampshire strike

Dawid Malan staged a comeback with the bat after Middlesex lost early wickets to leave their County Championship game at the Ageas Bowl in the balance.

Malan, who was dropped on 26, had reached 40 when the players were first forced off for bad light at 2.50pm, before rain curtailed day two early with only 41 overs bowled.

Middlesex closed on 84-3, still 252 runs behind, but are effectively four down with skipper Adam Voges playing no further part in the match following his head injury on day one.

After being in hospital on Sunday evening, the Australian returned to the ground to watch his teammates and both sides discussed whether to allow a replacement, but could not find a way without falling foul of the laws.

Earlier, the visitors needed only seven overs to take the last three Hampshire wickets, with Liam Dawson adding only three to his overnight 86 before edging Steven Finn behind.

West Indian Tino Best scored a quick 23 from 33 balls but tailenders Mason Crane and James Tomlinson both fell for ducks, Tim Murtagh finishing with 3-64.

Middlesex’s reply started badly when Sam Robson sent a thick edge to point after only scoring five, while bowling pressure accounted for Nick Compton, who managed only a single from 27 balls before being caught at slip off Ryan McLaren.

Nick Gubbins stuck around slightly longer than his partners, as he forged a 33-run stand with Malan before following a leg-side delivery on his hips through to Adam Wheater, to give South African McClaren his second wicket.

Malan and wicket-keeper John Simpson saw Middlesex to the premature close.