Four for Harris but Notts repel Middlesex

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Close, day one: Nottinghamshire 298-9 v Middlesex

James Harris took four wickets in 11 balls but Nottinghamshire recovered from their collapse as county cricket returned to Lord’s.

Opener Brendan Taylor scored 106 on his Notts debut as the visitors looked in a healthy position on 180-2.

Harris then removed England World Cup batsman James Taylor (36), Samit Patel (0), Riki Wessels and the centurion in rapid succession to leave Notts on 183-6 just before tea.

However skipper Chris Read anchored a response in the evening session, ending unbeaten on 62.

Notts won the toss and elected to bat on the opening day of the new season, with Middlesex slip fielders twice shelling chances to remove Steven Mullaney, both off Tom Helm’s bowling.

After an opening stand of 70, Helm eventually got his man as Mullaney chopped on before danger man Alex Hales was run out without scoring.

Notts reached 90-2 at lunch and the two Taylors went on to reach their century partnership as they hoped to set a platform.

But Harris had other ideas, having James Taylor caught for 36 and then trapping Patel lbw three balls later.

He repeated the trick in his next over, as Wessels and Brendan Taylor both fell lbw.

Shortly after tea, Helm had Will Gidman caught behind but Vernon Philander (17) and Jake Ball offered support to Read, whose 62 came from 89 deliveries.

Dawid Malan was forced off the field for x-rays after being struck on the finger while fielding.

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