Grinder Gubbins puts Middlesex back on terms

A resolute innings from Nick Gubbins helped Middlesex into a slender advantage on the second day of their County Championship match at Trent Bridge.

Gubbins batted for just over five hours in making 75, scoring his runs from 226 deliveries.

He received solid support from James Franklin (40) and Stevie Eskinazi (35) as the visitors posted 247, a first-innings lead of six.

Jake Ball, who had claimed a hat-trick on the first evening to leave Middlesex on 0-3, took a couple more wickets to close with 5-66, his best of the season.

After the fireworks of the previous day, the tempo was reduced dramatically as the opening session brought a meagre 56 runs and one wicket, Dawid Malan lbw for 13.

Eskinazi boosted the run rate, taking three consecutive boundaries off Ball but was then bowled by the leg spin of Imran Tahir.

John Simpson busily worked his way to 27 before Brett Hutton found a way through his defences, the same bowler having Gubbins caught behind.

Ball’s return into the attack brought about the downfall of former team-mate Franklin.

The Middlesex skipper, who played for Notts in 2014, made 40 before lifting into the hands of third man.

Toby Roland-Jones was Ball’s fifth victim and Middlesex fell short of a second batting point – which could yet be crucial in the title race – as Tahir bowled Steven Finn for 10.

Steven Mullaney and Jake Libby wiped out the arrears in the first over of Nottinghamshire’s second innings and hung around until stumps, 18 ahead.