Middlesex 296-4 trail Nottinghamshire 326 by 30 runs
Sam Robson sent a message to the England selectors with a brilliant unbeaten 144 to lead a Middlesex recovery on day two at Lord’s.
The opener put on 203 for the third wicket with Eoin Morgan (84) as the pair rescued the hosts from a potentially perilous position of 19-2.
Middlesex made short work of bowling Nottinghamshire out first thing but were in trouble when Chris Rogers and Dawid Malan fell in the same over.
However, Robson and Morgan’s superb stand provided the platform and John Simpson (32 not out) chipped in after tea as Middlesex edged closer to a first innings lead at stumps.
It was another command performance from Robson, who after an impressive 2013 county season and winter touring with England Lions, gave another indication of his readiness for Test cricket.
Middlesex took 20 minutes to remove the final two Nottinghamshire batsman and prevent the tail doing any further damage, Steven Finn claiming his fifth wicket of the innings in the process.
However, within 10 overs of their reply the home side looked in disarray when Chris Rogers edged to third slip off Luke Fletcher and Dawid Malan was caught behind four balls later.
The third wicket stand thus took on huge significance, given that the middle order failed so miserably in the defeat to Sussex last week – and Robson and Morgan launched their counter-attack.
The landmarks were clocked up at regular intervals, as both reached their 50 either side of the hundred partnership.
Robson’s ton came off 170 deliveries as Middlesex reached tea at 196-2 after a wicketless afternoon session.
The pair’s partnership was already the best third-wicket stand in almost two years, and they went on to match the 203 clocked up by Rogers and Malan against Warwickshire in August 2012.
The very next ball, Morgan gave a catch to wicketkeeper Chris Read to fall for 86, his highest county cricket score since April 2009.
Adam Rossington was trapped lbw for just eight but Robson continued to impress and he was given support by Simpson, the pair adding 59 before the close to put Middlesex into a great position.
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This post was last modified on 15/04/2014