Robson a shining light amid Lord’s gloom

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Middlesex 180-6 trail Derbyshire 231 by 51 runs

Sam Robson scored his third successive half century but Middlesex otherwise struggled with the bat on a rain-affected second day at Lord’s.

The Australian-born opener, who qualifies to play for England next year, continued his impressive start to the campaign with 68, having scored 76 and 55 against Nottinghamshire last week.

But Derbyshire took advantage of bowler-friendly conditions as Middlesex at one point crumbled to 140-6.

Gareth Berg and Ollie Rayner put on 40 and both remain at the crease going into day three, with Middlesex 180-6 at stumps, still 51 runs behind the visitors’ first innings.

Derbyshire added 26 to their overnight score of 205-9, with Tim Murtagh having Tim Groenewald caught behind to end a last wicket stand of 50.

The reply began well, although there was no repeat of the century opening partnerships from Middlesex’s victory at Nottinghamshire last week, as skipper Chris Rogers was trapped lbw for 16, with the score on 21.

However, Robson and Joe Denly guided Middlesex to 62-1 at lunch and their stand passed 50 shortly after the interval.

But that was the cue for quick wickets to fall. Denly was the first to go when he was caught off the bowling of Jonathan Clare for 34, a quickfire knock that included six boundaries.

Dawid Malan and Neil Dexter were also removed cheaply as Middlesex slumped to 91-4 – but their slide was halted when bad light, and then rain, stopped play around 2.30pm.

After a two-hour delay, Robson passed the 50 mark for the third innings in a row, the first time the 23-year-old has achieved that in his first-class career.

However, on 68, he became Clare’s second victim of the innings and when John Simpson was out for 12, Middlesex’s chances looked as bleak as the weather had done earlier in the day.

But Berg (27 not out) and Rayner (16 not out) played patiently and kept the scoreboard ticking over to keep Middlesex in the hunt for a first innings lead.

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