Finn and Harris keep Notts in check

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Nottinghamshire 315-8 v Middlesex

Steve Finn and James Harris took four wickets apiece on a fascinating first day at Lord’s.

Steven Mullaney (52), James Taylor (62) and Riki Wessels (58) all hit half centuries for Nottinghamshire but wickets at key intervals saw Middlesex restrict them to 178-5 at tea.

Chris Read (40) and Peter Siddle (40) added a further 72 in the evening session but Finn (4-87) struck twice with the new ball to check their progress.

Harris (4-80) removed Siddle late in the day as Notts closed on 315-8.

Bright sunshine enveloped Lord’s for Middlesex’s first match of the new season at HQ.

Having lost the toss, they might have been expecting a tough day in the field but Harris had opener Phil Jacques caught behind in the 10th over to get off to a great start.

Michael Lumb made 17 before top edging a pull to Sam Robson as Notts reached lunch at 75-2.

England contender Taylor looked dangerous, hitting 52 of his 62 runs in boundaries as he and Mullaney put on 81 for the third wicket.

But Harris struck twice in an over midway through the afternoon, trapping Taylor lbw and removing Samit Patel without scoring four balls later to leave Nottinghamshire on 131-4.

Mullaney’s steady knock ended when he edged Finn to Dawid Malan at slip as Middlesex went into the tea interval on top.

Read’s partnership of 86 with Wessels helped Nottinghamshire recover to a healthier position, but the second new ball reaped dividends as Finn removed both in successive overs.

Any hope the tail might crumble though were dashed as Aussie quick Siddle, on his Notts debut, made 40 from 45 balls in a stand of 47 with Luke Fletcher.

Shortly after Nottinghamshire passed 300, Siddle chopped Harris to Eoin Morgan at point but Middlesex weren’t able to finish them off before the close.

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