Robson and Gubbins help Middlesex dominate Essex

Sam Robson maintained his impressive start to the season with an unbeaten hundred to put Middlesex in control of their County Championship clash with Essex.

The opener – who struck 84 in last week’s drawn match against Hampshire – reached 144 not out, sharing a partnership of 241 with fellow centurion Nick Gubbins after his side had been put in at Lord’s.

Gubbins’ wicket was the only one to fall on the first day, with Middlesex in a strong position at 255-1 when bad light forced the players off early in the final session.

Robson batted efficiently from the start, timing his shots well and outscoring his partner as he brought up his half-century before lunch with a push behind square.

Gubbins looked less assured at the crease, surviving two leg before appeals and appearing to nudge Jamie Porter to first slip when he had made 38.

However, the left-hander began to settle into his groove as Essex skipper Ryan ten Doeschate shuffled his bowlers without success during the afternoon session.

Meanwhile, Robson motored on towards three figures and reached his milestone from 140 balls with an edge through the slips off Ravi Bopara.

Gubbins followed suit in the penultimate over before tea, scampering a single to mid-wicket to bring up his ton from 192 deliveries.

But the Middlesex opening partnership was broken just three balls later by Aaron Beard, who had Gubbins caught behind for 101 on the stroke of tea.

Only three overs were bowled after the interval, with Stevie Eskinazi (1*) joining Robson at the crease before darkening clouds prompted the umpires to halt play.