Murtagh strikes first ball but Ballance thwarts Middlesex

Tim Murtagh took three wickets – including with the very first ball of the match – but Middlesex were thwarted by a Gary Ballance century on day one at Scarborough.

Ballance, still hoping to catch the England selectors’ eye after being ditched last summer, reached 106 by the close, his first Championship century since last August.

Alex Lees and Tim Bresnan both made 63 as Yorkshire ended an even day on 291-5.

After losing the toss and having to bowl, on a sunny morning, Middlesex could have been expecting a long slog before making a breakthrough against the reigning champions – but instead they struck first ball.

Adam Lyth – another cast aside by England – failed to remove his bat from Murtagh’s opening delivery and was caught behind.

However, Lees looked in good form from the off and added 85 with Kane Williamson (28), before the New Zealand captain gave a second catch to wicket-keeper John Simpson, this time off James Franklin.

Lees had completed a confident half-century by off-driving Ollie Rayner for six but the spinner later had his revenge when he held a catch off Murtagh to dismiss the opener for 63.

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale, in urgent need of runs, fell lbw to a full ball from Toby Roland-Jones for just seven, and at 131-4 they needed the middle order to help shore them up.

Bresnan once more answered the call with his third 60-plus score in five innings, he and Ballance entertaining the 3,200 crowd with some quality stroke play which added 126 for the fifth wicket.

Murtagh brought their fun to an end when he bowled Bresnan but there was no stopping Ballance, who struck 16 fours and faced 202 balls for his 14th first-class ton for his county.

After Bresnan’s dismissal, he and Will Rhodes (12 not out) put on a further 34 in the final 10 overs.