Malan ton puts Middlesex on terms against Hampshire

Dawid Malan helped Middlesex into a first-innings lead with an attacking century on day three at the Ageas Bowl.

His 121, backed up by useful contributions from John Simpson (65), James Harris (57) and Tim Murtagh (39 not out), edged the visitors ahead.

Murtagh then removed Hampshire’s first-innings centurion Michael Carberry on 15 before the close.

Malan, who resumed on 40 not out, found his progress eased by some erratic fast bowling from Hampshire seamers Tino Best, Chris Wood and Ryan McClaren.

He and John Simpson put on 182 for the fifth wicket with a typical defender and aggressor partnership, getting through the morning session without losing a wicket.

Malan’s ton came in 134 balls before he looped leg spinner Mason Crane’s rank long-hop to extra cover.

Watchful Simpson, whose 50 came off two balls fewer than Malan’s century, departed in the next over as he edged James Tomlinson behind to Adam Wheater.

The hosts’ bowlers found their rhythm in the afternoon, with South African McClaren knocking over the off stump of both Paul Stirling and Toby Ronald-Jones.

Tomlinson ended Harris’s run-a-ball cameo and wrapped up the Middlesex innings when Steven Finn skied to Best at mid-off, with Adam Voges not batting due to concussion suffered on day one.

Carberry began well, twice slapping Murtagh to the boundary in the first over, but was then trapped lbw by the paceman.

Jimmy Adams (16 not out) and James Vince (28 not out) took Hampshire to a 51-run lead at stumps, with a draw the most probably result.