Malan and Voges hammer Hampshire bowlers

Dawid Malan underlined his liking for Hampshire’s bowlers as a high-class 147 put Middlesex in early command of the County Championship Division One match at Northwood.

Malan was joined by his captain Adam Voges in a 279-run third wicket stand which propelled Middlesex to 342-3 after they had initially slumped to 14-2.

Voges also played superbly for his unbeaten 128 and he and John Simpson, who is unbeaten on 28, saw off the second new ball to complete a fine day for the hosts.

Malan was first to three figures, driving former West Indies fast bowler Tino Best through extra cover shortly after tea. This century followed a 121 against Hampshire in the Championship game at the Ageas Bowl earlier this month and a sparkling 93 on Friday in the T20 Blast encounter between the two sides at Uxbridge.

An entertaining day began with Hampshire on top at the attractive Merchant Taylors’ School ground.

Openers Nick Gubbins (4) and Sam Robson (2) both fell quickly to catches in the slip cordon amid the morning gloom.

It forced Malan and Voges to battle hard for supremacy in testing overcast and chilly conditions.

The predominantly sunny afternoon session brought 130 runs as the third-wicket pair grew in authority in warmer temperatures and then, after tea, came some thrilling cricket as Malan hit Mason Crane’s leg spin straight for six before upper-cutting Best in extraordinary fashion for another six to wide third man.

Voges completed his hundred when he took three successive fours off Crane to sprint from 91 to 103, while Malan was finally dismissed when he drove at Liam Dawson’s left-arm spin and edged to slip, where Sean Ervine took a sharp and instinctive catch chest-high.

Middlesex have given a Championship debut in this game to James Fuller, the seamer signed from Gloucestershire last winter, in place of a rested James Harris.