Lancashire hit back to put pressure on Middlesex
Middlesex 327 & 72-4: Robson 26, Malan 20*; Kerrigan 3-16
Lancashire 259: Jones 106*; Roland-Jones 4-54, Finn 4-71
Close, day three: Middlesex lead Lancashire by 140 runs
Middlesex’s title aspirations remain in the balance after a century from Rob Jones and three wickets for Simon Kerrigan hauled Lancashire back into the penultimate County Championship match.
Opener Jones carried his bat for a magnificent maiden first-class century, although Steven Finn (pictured) took four wickets to give Middlesex a first-innings lead of 68.
However, Kerrigan had three of the visitors’ top five out lbw to leave the game on a knife-edge going into the last day.
Jones, playing just his third Championship match and resuming on 42, became the youngest Lancashire batsman since Cyril Washbrook in 1935 to carry his bat through a Championship innings.
He brought up his century with his second six off Ollie Rayner as his stand with Liam Livingstone (53), so vital on Tuesday evening, swelled to 106.
He put on another 92 with Tom Bailey (53) as they averted any threat of the follow-on, but Kyle Jarvis (0), Simon Kerrigan (10) and Toby Lester (1) lasted only briefly.
The Lancashire bowlers took inspiration from Jones’ efforts, as Nick Gubbins edged Kyle Jarvis to slip for a duck, while Kerrigan removed Sam Robson (26), Nick Compton (10) and Stevie Eskinazi (4).
Left-handers David Malan and John Simpson came together for a trial by spin, digging in with men round the bat, to guide Middlesex to a lead of 140 at stumps.
A win would take Middlesex 20 points clear of Yorkshire going into the final round of fixtures, when the title-challengers meet at Lord’s.
A draw would see Middlesex top by nine, and should they lose, their advantage would be just four points.
