Notts firmly on top as Middlesex flounder

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Close, day two: Nott’shire 298 & 101-2 lead Middlesex 181 by 218 runs

Middlesex struggled with both bat and ball as Nottinghamshire dominated the second day at Lord’s.

With Dawid Malan unable to bat after suffering a broken finger, the hosts compounded their problems by losing their last six wickets for 78 runs.

Sam Robson and John Simpson top scored with 35 while Samit Patel (3-30) and Harry Gurney (3-50) were the pick of the Notts bowlers.

Openers Steven Mullaney and Brendan Taylor then added 77 to the lead before both fell late in the day, the visitors closing on 101-2

Middlesex had enjoyed a good morning. They needed just two balls to take the last wicket of Nottinghamshire’s first innings and Robson and Nick Gubbins then put on an opening stand of 51.

But they went on to lose wickets at regular intervals – Nick Compton scored just just three on his second debut for the club and captain Adam Voges fell for 29.

Simpson’s knock and contributions from James Harris (16) and Tim Murtagh (19) ensured Middlesex avoided the follow-on but they still found themselves 117 behind on first innings.

Mullaney and Taylor extended that with a partnership of 77 but Middlesex struck back by removing both inside the last over, although Notts still hold a commanding lead of 218.

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